33-48 
 Mfcc 
 
 V177 
 
 Car- ct^cua . i 
 Poen 
 
 By 
 
 Mason
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 A 
 
 DRAMATIC POEM. 
 
 ALTE R D FOR THB 
 
 THEATRE ROYAL in COVENT-GARDEN.

 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 A 
 
 DRAMATIC POEM. 
 
 Written on the Model of 
 
 The ANTIENT GREEK TRAGEDY. 
 
 Firft publifhed in the Year 17599 - 
 
 AND 
 
 Now altered for Theatrical Reprefentation. 
 BY W. MASON, M. A. 
 
 NOS MUNERA PHOEBO 
 
 MISIMUS, ET LECTAS DRUIDUM DE GENTE CHOREAi. 
 
 MILTON. 
 
 YORK: 
 
 Printed by A. WARD ; and fold by R. HORSFIELD and 
 J. DODSLEY, in London. 
 
 M DCC LXXVH. 
 
 CPrice One Shilling and Six-Pence.;}
 
 TO THE RIGHT REVEREND THE BISHOP 
 OF LICHFIELD AND COVENTRY, PRE- 
 CEPTOR TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES 
 THE PRINCE OF WALES AND BISHOP 
 DF OSNABRUG. 
 
 SONNET. 
 
 TILL let my HURD a fmile of candour lend 
 To Scenes, that dar'd on Grecian pennons tower, 
 When*, " in low Thurcafton's fequefter'd bower, 
 He prais'd the ftrain, becaufe he lov'd the friend : 
 There golden Leifure did his fteps attend, 
 
 Nor had the rare, yet well-weigh'd, call of Power 
 To thofe high cares decreed his watchful hour, 
 On which fair ALBION'S future hopes depend. 
 A Fate unlook'd for waits my Friend and me ; 
 
 He pays to duty what was learning's claim ? 
 *~ Refigning claflic eafe for dignity ; 
 
 I yield my Mufe to Fafhion's praife or blame : 
 cc Yet ftill our hearts in this great truth agree, 
 
 That Peace alone is blifs, and Virtue fame. 
 
 , Nov.. 12, 1776. W. M A S O N. 
 
 J! * See the conclufion of an Elegy prefixed to the former 
 5 Editions of -this Poem.
 
 LETTER to THOMAS HARRIS, 
 SIR, 
 
 "\7 OUR very fair and candid behaviour towards 
 ]L me, in not only afking my permiffion to bring 
 CARACTACUS upon the Stage, but in thinking me 
 capable of making the Alterations in it, requifite for 
 that purpofe, is fo flattering and unexpected an inftance 
 of condefcenfion in the Manager of a Theatre, that it 
 not only demands my beft acknowledgments, but has 
 .induced me very readily to give up a few of my leifure 
 hours to the attempt. 
 
 As I have endeavoured, in fitting it for the Stage, 
 not to leave it totally unfit for the Clofet, I fufpect it 
 may ftill be too long for reprefentation. If, therefore, 
 upon Rehearfal with the Mufic, you fhould find this 
 to be the cafe, I will fend you a fecond Copy, in which 
 feveral other lines and paffages fhall be mark'd with 
 inverted commas, which you may either omit, or re- 
 tain, as fhall then feem expedient. But, if I print 
 the Tragedy, thefe paflages will not be fo marked, for 
 the above reafon. 
 
 If I wifli for the fuccefs of my Poem, in this form, 
 I afTure you, Sir, it is chiefly on your account, that 
 you may not fuffer by the very great expence which you 
 intend to be at in the exhibition. 
 
 Believe me to be, with very true regard, 
 S I R, 
 
 Your moft obedient 
 Sept. 10, 1776. 
 
 and faithful Servant, 
 
 W. MASON,
 
 PERSONS of the DRAM A. 
 
 Cara&acus, King of the Silures Mr. Clarke. 
 
 Aulus Didius, the Roman General Mr. Whitfield. 
 Arvircgus, Son to Caradtacus Mr. Lewis. 
 
 Vemnus > ? Sons to Cartifmandua Mr " Ward ' 
 Elidurus,i Queen of dieBrigantes. Mr . W roughton. 
 
 Evelina, Daughter to Caraacus Mrs. Hartley. 
 
 PERSONS of the CHORUS. 
 
 Mocked, the chief Druid Mr. Aikin. 
 
 Mador *, the chief Bard Mr. Hull. 
 
 Second Bard Mr. Leoni. 
 
 Third Bard Mrs. Farrel. 
 
 Fourth Bard * Mr. Reinold. 
 
 Scene, the confecrated Grove in the Ifland of Mona, 
 now Andefea. 
 
 * Thofe parts only of the Odes which are printed in Italics, 
 are meant to be performed mufically, the reft to be recited by 
 the chief Bard.
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 A C T I. 
 SCENE I. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS, with Romans. 
 
 TH I S is the fecret centre of the ifle : 
 Here, Romans, paufe, and let the eye of wonder 
 Gaze on the folemn fcene ; behold yon oak 
 How ftern he frowns, and with his broad brown arms 
 Chills the pale plain beneath him : mark you altar, 
 The dark ftream brawling round its rugged bafe, 
 Thefe cliffs, thefe yawning caverns, this wide circus, 
 Skirted with unhewn (tone : they awe my foul. 
 Surely, my friends, there is a hidden power 
 In the lone majefly of untam'd nature, 
 Ccntrouling fober reafon ; tell me elfe, 
 Why do thefe haunts of barb'rous luperfHtion 
 O'ercome me thus ? I fcorn them, yet they awe me. 
 Call forth the Britifh Princes : in this c'oom 
 } mean to fchool them to our enterprize. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS, VELLINUS, ELIDURUS. 
 
 Ye pledges dear of CARTIOMANDUA'S faith, 
 Approach ! and to my uninftrucled ear 
 Explain this fcene of horror. 
 
 A E I, I-
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Daring Roman, 
 
 Know that thou ftand'ft on confecrated ground : 
 Thefe mighty piles of magic-planted rock, 
 Thus rang'd in myftic order, mark the place 
 Where but at times of holieft feftival 
 The Druid leads his train. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 Where dwells the feer ? 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 In yonder fhaggy cave j on which the moon 
 Now (beds a fide-long gleam. His brotherhood 
 Poflefs the neighb'ring cliffs. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 Yet up the hill 
 
 Mine eye defcries a diftant range of caves, 
 DelvM in the ridges of the craggy fteep : 
 And this way ftill another. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 On the left 
 
 Refide the fage EUVATES : yonder grots 
 Are tenanted by Bards, who nightly thence, 
 Rob'd in their flowing veils of innocent white, 
 Defcend, with harps that glitter to the moon, 
 Hymning immortal drains. The fpirits of air, 
 Of earth, of water, nay of heav'n itfelf, 
 Do liften to their lay. Now if thy eye 
 Be fated with the view, hafte to thy {hips ; 
 And ply thine oars ; for, if the Druids learn 
 This bold intrufion, thou wilt find it hard 
 To foil their fury. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 Prince, I did not moor 
 
 My light-arm'd fhallops on this dangerous flrand 
 To footh a fruitlefs curiofity : 
 I come in queft of proud CARACTACUS ; 
 
 Who,
 
 t 3 J 
 
 Who, when our veterans put his troops to flight. 
 Pound refuge here. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 If here the Monarch refts, 
 
 Prefumptuous Chief ! thou might'ft as well efiay 
 To pluck him from yon ftars : Beneath the foil 
 We tread, a hundred dark myfterious paths 
 Lead to as many caverns, in whofe womb 
 He may for life lie hid. 
 
 AULUS D I D I U S. 
 We know the tafk 
 
 Moft difficult : yet has thy royal mother 
 Furnifh'd the means. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 My mother, fay 'ft thou, Roman ? 
 
 AULUS D I D I U S. 
 In proof of that firm faith {he lends to Rome, 
 She gave you up her honour's hoftages. 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 She did : and we fubmit. 
 
 AULUS D I D I U S. 
 
 To Rome we bear you ; 
 
 From your dear country bear you ; from your joys, 
 Your loves, your friendfhips, all your fouls hold precious. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 And doft thou taunt us, Roman, with our fate ? 
 
 AULUS D I D I U S. 
 No, youth, by heav'n, I would avert that fate. 
 Wifli ye for liberty ? 
 
 V E L L I N U S, E L I D U R U S. 
 
 More than for life. 
 AULUS D I D I U S. 
 And would do much to s;ain it ? 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Name the tafk. 
 A 2 AULUS
 
 [ 4 ] 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 The tafk is eafy. Hafte ye to thefe Druids : 
 Tell 1 them ye come, commiffion'd by your Queen A 
 To feek the great CARACTACUS ; and call 
 His valor to her aid. Her truce with Rome 
 Is yet unknown : and this her royal fia;net 
 Shall be your pledge of faith. The eager king 
 Will gladly take the charge ; and, he confenting, 
 What elfe remains, but to the Mena'i's fhore 
 Ye lead his credulous ftep ? there will we feize him : 
 Bear him to Rome, the fubftitute for you, 
 And give you back to freedom. 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 If the Druids 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 If they, or he, prevent this artifice, 
 Then force mutt take its way : then flaming brands^ 
 " And biting axes, wielded by our foldiers," 
 Muft level thefe thick (hades, and fo unlodge 
 The lurking favage. 
 
 E L I D U R U S 
 
 Gods, {hall Mona perifh ? 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 Princes, her e-v'ry trunk {hall on the ground 
 Stretch its gigantic length ; unlefs, ere dawn, 
 Ye lure this untam'd lion to our toils. 
 Go then, and profper; I fhall to the (hips, 
 And there expect his coming. Youths, remember, 
 He muft to Rome to grace great CAESAR'S triumph : 
 and Fate demand him at your hand. 
 
 [Exeunt Anlus Didiits and Romans, 
 
 SCENE
 
 [ 5 ] 
 
 SCENE III. 
 ELIDURUS, VELLINUS. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 And will heav'n fuffer it ? Will the juft gods, 
 That tread yon fpangled pavement o'er our bends, 
 Look from their fky and yield him? Wi'l thefe Druids, 
 Their fage vicegerents, not call down the thunder 
 In fuch a righteous caufe ? Yes, good old king, 
 Yes, laft of Britons, thou art heav'n's own pledge ; 
 And fhalt be fuch till death. 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 
 What means my brother * 
 Doft thou rcfufe the charge ? 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 Doft thou accept it ? 
 VELLINUS. 
 It gives us liberty. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 It makes us traitors. 
 Gods, would VELLINUS do a deed of bafenefs? 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 Will ELIDURUS fcorn the proffer d boon 
 Of freedom ? 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 Yes, when fuch its guilty price, 
 Brother, I fpurn it. 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Go then, foolifh boy ! 
 I'll do the deed myfelf. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 It {hail not be : 
 I will proclaim the fraud. 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 
 Wilt thou ? 'tis well. 
 Hie to yon cave j call loudly on the Druid - } 
 
 And
 
 [ 6 ] 
 
 And bid him drag to ignominious death 
 The partner of thy blood. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 O my VELLINUS ! 
 
 Rend not my foul : by heav'n thou know'ft I love thee, 
 As fervently as brother e'er lov'd brother : 
 And, loving thee, 1 thought I lov'd mine honour. 
 Ah ! do not wake, dear Youth, in this true breaft 
 So fierce a conflict. 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 
 Honour's voice commands 
 
 Thou fhould'ft obey thy mother, and thy queen. 
 Honour and Holinefs alike confpire 
 To bid thee fave thefe confecrated groves 
 From Roman devaftation. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Horrid thought ! 
 
 Hence let us hafte, even to the furtheft nook 
 Of this wide ifle ; nor view the facrilege. 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 No, let us ftay, and by our profperous art 
 Prevent the facrilege. Mark me, my brother ; 
 More years and more experience have matur'd 
 My fober thought ; I will convince thy youth, 
 That this our deed has ev'ry honeft fan&ion 
 Cool reafon may demand. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 To Rome with reafon : 
 Try if 'twill bring her deluging ambition 
 Into the level courfe of right and juftice. 
 But, pray thee, do not reafon from my foul 
 Its inbred honefty : that holy flame, 
 Howe'er eclips'd by Rome's black influence 
 In vulgar minds, ought ftill to brighten ours. 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 Vain talker, leave me. 
 
 ELI-
 
 f 7 ] 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 No, I will not leave thee : 
 I muft not, dare not, in thefe perilous fhades. 
 Think, if thy fraud (hould fail, thefe holy men, 
 How will their juftice rend thy trait'rous limbs ? 
 If thou fucceed'ft, the fiercer pangs of conference, 
 How will they ever goad thy guilty foul ? 
 Mercy, defend us ! fee, the awful Druids 
 Are ifluing from their caves : hear'ft thou yon fignal ? 
 Lo, on the inftant all the mountain whitens 
 With flow-defcending Bards. Retire, retire ; 
 This is the hour of facrifice : to ftay 
 Is death, 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 I'll wait the clofmg of their rites 
 In yonder vale : do thou, as likes thee beft, 
 Betray, or aid me. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 To betray thee, youth, 
 That love forbids ; honour, alas ! to aid thee. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 The CHORUS, preceded by MOD RED the chief 
 Druid) defcend to a folemn Symphony. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Sleep and Silence reign around ; 
 Not a night-breeze wakes to blow ; 
 Circle, fons, this holy ground ; 
 Circle clofe, in triple row. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 Druid) at thy dread command. 
 When thou ivav'jt thy potent ivand, 
 
 See,
 
 C 8 J 
 
 See, we pace this holy ground 
 With folemn footjleps foft and flow, 
 While Sleep and Silence reign around. 
 And not a night-breeze wakes to blow. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 'Tis well. And now, if maflc'd in vapours drear.) 
 Any malign or earth-born Spirit dare 
 To hover round this confecrated fpace, 
 Hafte with light fpells the murky foe to chace. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 We lift our boughs of vervain blue, 
 Dipt in cold September dew, 
 And dajh the moijlure, chajle and clear, 
 O'er the ground, and thro' the air. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Now the place is purg'd and pure. [A Jhort Symphony. 
 Brethren ! fay, for this high hour, 
 Are the milk-white fteers prepar'd ? 
 Whofe necks the rude yoke never fcar'd, 
 To the furrow yet unbroke ? 
 For fuch muft bleed beneath yon oak. 
 CHORUS. 
 Druid, thefe, in order meet, 
 Are all prepar'd. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 But tell me yet, 
 
 CADWALL ! did thy ftep profound 
 Dive into the cavern deep, 
 Twice twelve fathom under ground, 
 Where our fage fore-fathers fleep ? 
 Thence with reverence haft thou born, 
 From the confecrated cheft, 
 The golden fickle, fcrip, and veil, 
 Whilom by old BELINUS worn ? 
 
 Second
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 Second BARD* 
 thefe, in order meet, 
 Are all prepared, 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 But tell me yej, 
 
 From the grot of charms and fpells, 
 Where our matron fifter dwells, 
 BRENNUS ! has thy holy hand 
 Safely brought the druid wand; 
 And the potent adder-ftone, 
 Gender'd 'fore th' autumnal moon ? 
 Third BARD. 
 Druid, thefe, in order meet, 
 Are all prepared. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 Then all's compleat. 
 
 [Symphony repeated, 
 
 And now let nine of the fele&ed band 
 With wary circuit pace around the grove, 
 And guard each inlet ; watchful, left the eye 
 Of bufy curiofity profane 
 Pry on our rites : for know, CARACTACUS 
 This night demands admiffion to our train. 
 He, once our king, while ought his pow'r avail'd 
 To fave his country from the rod of tyrants, 
 That duty paft, does wifely now retire 
 To end his days in fecrecy and peace ; 
 Druid with Druids, in this chief of groves, 
 Ev'n in the heart of Mona. See, he comes ! 
 How awful is his port ! mark him, my friends ! 
 He looks, as doth the tower, whofe nodding walls^ 
 After the conflict of heav'n's angry bolts, 
 Frown with a dignity unmark'd before, 
 Ev'n in its prime of ftrength. Health to the king ! 
 
 B SCENE
 
 [ 10 ] 
 SCENE V. 
 
 CARACTACUS, EVtLINA, MODRED, 
 CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 This holy place, methinks, doth this night wear 
 More than its wonted gloom : Druid, thefe groves 
 Have caught the difmal colouring of my foul 
 In pity to their gueft. Hail, hallow'd oaks ! 
 Hail, Britifli born ! who, laft of Britifti race, 
 Hold your primaeval rights by nature's charter ; 
 Not at the nod of CJESAR. Happy forefters, 
 Ye wave your bold heads in the liberal air; 
 Nor afk, for privilege, a praetor's edit. 
 Ye, with your tough and intertwifted roots, 
 Grafp the firm rocks ye grew from ; fpreading proudly 
 Your leafy banners 'gainft the tyrannous north, 
 Who Roman-like aflails you. Tell me, Druid, 
 Is it not better to be fuch as thefe, 
 Than be the thing I am ? 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 To be the thing 
 Eternal wifdom wills, is ever beft. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 But I am loft to that predeftin'd ufe 
 Eternal wifdom will'd, and fitly therefore 
 May wifh a change of being. I was born 
 A king; and heav'n, who bad theft warrior oaks 
 Lift their green (hields againft the fiery fun, 
 Meant that this arm fliould fo protedt my people 
 Againft the peftilent glare of Rome's ambition. 
 I fail'd ; and how I fail'd, thou know'ft too well 5 
 So does the babbling world : and therefore, Druid, 
 I would be any thing fave what I am. 
 M O D R E D. 
 See, to thy wifh, the holy rites prepar'd, 
 
 Which a
 
 Which, if heav'n frown not, confecrate thee Druid : 
 Meanwhile bethink thee, Prince, if ought on earth 
 Still holds too firm an union with thy foul, 
 Eftranging it from peace. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 I had a qu^-en : 
 
 Bear with my weaknefs, Druid ! this tough breaft 
 Muft heave a figh, for (he is unreveng'd. 
 And then can I tafte peace ? Ah ! EVELINA, 
 Hang not thus weeping on the feeble arm 
 That could not fave thy mother. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 To hang thus 
 
 Softens the pang of grief; and the fweet thought, 
 That a fond father ftill fupports his child, 
 Sheds, on my penfive mind, fuch foothing balm, 
 As doth the bleffing of thek pious feers, 
 When moft they wifh our welfare. Would to heav'n 
 A daughter's prefence could as much avail 
 To eafe her father's woes, as his doth mine. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 Ever moft gentle ! come unto my bofom : 
 Dear pattern of the precious prize I loft, 
 Loft, fo inglorious loft ; my friends, thefe eyes 
 Did fee her torn from my defencelefs camp ; 
 Whilft I, hemm'd roundiy fquadrons, could not fave her ; 
 M> boy, ftill nearer to the darling pUdge, 
 Beheld her fhrieking in the ruffian's arm; 
 Beheld and fled. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Ah ! Sir, forbear to wound 
 My brother's fame ; he fled, but to recall 
 His fcatter'd forces to purfue and fave her. 
 
 c A RACTACUS. 
 
 Daughter, he fled. Now, by yon gracious moon, 
 That rifing faw the deed, and inftant hid 
 
 B 2 Her
 
 Her blufhing face in twilight's dufky veil. 
 The flight was parricide. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Indeed, indeed, 
 
 I know him valiant ; and not doubt he fell 
 'Mid {laughter* d thoufands of the haughty foe, 
 Victim to filial love. ARVIRAGUS, 
 Thou had'ft no fifter near the bloody field, 
 Whofe forrowing fearch, led by yon orb of night. 
 Might find thy body ; wafh with tears thy wounds ; 
 And wipe them with her hair. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Peace, virgin, peace: 
 
 Nor thou, fad Prince, reply : whate'er he is, 
 Be he a captive, fugitive, or corfe, 
 He is what heav'n ordain'd : thefe holy groves 
 Permit no exclamation 'gainft heav'n's will 
 To violate their echoes. Patience, here, 
 Her meek hands folded on her modeft breaft, 
 In mute fubmiflion lifts th' adoring eye, 
 Ev'n to the ftorm that wrecks her. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Holy Druid, 
 
 If ought my erring tongue has faid pollutes 
 This facred place, I from my foul abjure it. 
 And will thefe lips bar with eternal filence, 
 Rather than fpeak a word, or at a deed, 
 IJnmeet for thy fage daughters ; bleffing firft 
 This hallow'd hour that takes me from the world, 
 And joins me to their fober fifterhood. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 'Tis wifely faid. See, Prince, this prudent maid, 
 Now, while the ruddy flame of fparkling youth 
 Glows on her beauteous cheek, can quit the world 
 Without a figh, whilft thou 
 
 CARAC-
 
 t '3 1 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Would fave my queen 
 From a bafe ravifher ; would wifh to plunge 
 This falchion in his breaft, and fo avenge 
 Infulted royalty. O holy men ! 
 Ye are the fons of piety and peace ; 
 Ye never felt the (harp vindictive fpur 
 That goads the injur'd warrior, elfe indeed 
 Ye much would pity me ; would curfe the fate 
 That coops me here inactive in your groves, 
 Robs me of hope, tells me this trufty fteel 
 Muft never cleave one Roman helm again ; 
 Never avenge my queen, nor free my country. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 'Tis heaven's high will 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 I know it, reverend fathers ! 
 'Tis heav'n's high will that thefe poor aged eyes 
 Shall never more behold that virtuous woman, 
 To whom my youth was conftant ; 'twas heav'n's will 
 To take her from me at that very hour, 
 When beft her love might footh me; that black hour, 
 [May memory ever raze it from her records] 
 When all my fquadrons fled, and left their king 
 Old and defencelefs : him, who nine whole years, 
 Had taught them how to conquer : yes, my friends, 
 For nine whole years againft the fons of rapine 
 I led my veterans, oft to victory, 
 Never 'till then to fhame. Bear with me, Druid, 
 I've done : begin the rites. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 No. We poftpone 
 
 Thofe rites, vain Prince ! 'till Refignation meek, 
 'Till dove-ey'd Peace, hand-maid of San&ity, 
 Approach this altar with thee. Bards, bear off" 
 The victims. No reply. A frame of mind, 
 
 More
 
 [ 14 ] 
 
 More fitted to thefe rites, muft Patience bring 
 
 To give them holy fan&ion. Thefe inftead, 
 
 See I not gaunt Revenge, enfanguin'd Slaughter, 
 
 And mad Ambition, clinging to thy foul, 
 
 Eager to fnatch thee back to their domain, 
 
 Back to a vain and miferable world ; 
 
 Whofe mifery and vanity, tho' try'd, 
 
 Thou ftill hold'ft dearer than thefe folemn {hades, 
 
 Where Quiet reigns with Virtue ? Try we yet 
 
 That gradual aid which Holinefs can lend, 
 
 For much it can, by preparation meet 
 
 Of fage myfterious office : " when the foul, 
 
 Snatch'd by the pow'r of mufic from her cell 
 
 Of flefhly thraldom, feels herfelf upborn 
 
 On plumes of extafy, and boldly fprings 
 
 'Mid fwelling harmonies and pealing hymns, 
 
 Up to the porch of heav'n. Strike, then, ye Bards ! 
 
 Strike all your firings fymphonious ; wake a ftrain 
 
 Which, as it echoes thro' yon vaulted cave, 
 
 May penetrate, may purge, may purify, 
 
 His yet unhallow'd bofom. To that cave, 
 
 Monarch, retire, while hither we invoke 
 
 The airy tribe that on yon mountain dwell, 
 
 Ev'n on majeftic Snowdon : they, who never 
 
 Deign vifit mortal men, fave on fome caufe 
 
 Of higheft import, but, fublimely fhrin'd 
 
 On its hoar top in domes of cryftalline ice,. 
 
 Hold converfe with thofe fpirits that poffefs 
 
 The flcy's pure fapphire, neareft heav'n itfelf. 
 
 [Exeunt Car abacus & Evelina. 
 
 SCENE
 
 [ '5 ] 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 MADOR, CHORUS. 
 
 O D E. [Symphony. 
 
 MADOR. 
 
 Mona on Snowdort calls. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hear, thou King of mountains* bear ; 
 
 Hark, Jbe fpeaks from all her firings ; 
 
 Hark) her loudejl echo rings ; 
 King of mountains, bend thine ear. 
 
 MADOR. 
 
 Send thy fpirits, fend them foon, 
 
 Now, when Midnight and the Moon 
 Meet upon thy front of fnow : 
 
 See, their gold and ebon rod, 
 
 Where the fober fitters nod, 
 
 And greet in whifpers fage and flow. [Symphony. 
 
 Snowdon mark ! 'tis Magic's hour j 
 Now the mutter'd fpell hath pow'r ; 
 Pow'r to rend thy ribs of rock, 
 And burft thy bafe with thunder's fhock : 
 But to thee no ruder fpell 
 Shall Mona ufe, than thofe that dwell 
 In Mufic's fecret cells, and lie 
 Steep'd in the ftream of Harmony. 
 
 A I R by the fecond BARD. 
 
 Snowdon, to thee no ruder fpell 
 Shall Mona ufe, than thofe that dwell 
 In Mufic s fecre t cells, and lie 
 Sttep'd in the fire am of Harmony. 
 
 MADOR,
 
 M A D O R. 
 
 Snowdon has heard the ftrain : [Symphony, 
 
 Hark, amid the wond'ring grove 
 Other harpings anfwer clear, 
 Other voices meet our ear, 
 Pinions flutter, ftiadows move. 
 Bufy murmurs hum around, 
 Ruftling veftments brufh the ground ; 
 Round, and round, and round they go, 
 Thro' the twilight, thro' the fhade, 
 Mount the oak's majeftic head, 
 And gild the tufted mifletoe. 
 
 DUET by the fecond and third B A R D S; 
 Welcome, welcome, gentle Train, 
 Mona hails ye to her plain j 
 Here, your genial dews difpenfe ; 
 Dews of Peace, and Innocence. 
 Banijh hence each demon drear, 
 Fev'rijb Rage, and chilling Fear, 
 Vengeance with his haggard eye, 
 Envy, Hate, and Jealoufy. 
 
 M A D O R. 
 
 Mona ! thy grove is Virtue's throne ; -; .J 
 
 To Peace, to Piety alone 
 
 Thy central Oak its fhade extends ; 
 Here, melting in Devotion's fires, 
 The Soul, fublim'd, to heav'n afpires, 
 
 Its drofs fubfides, its gold afcends. 
 Pure, as this glitt'ring race of light 
 That tend thy call from Snowdon's height; 
 That here, arrang'd in order due, 
 Spread their bright robes of faffron hue ; 
 So pure, fo bright, thy fons fhall fhine, 
 
 When life's" del ufive dream is o'er; 
 Like them be crown'd with mifletoe divine, 
 Like them in azure fields of Ether foar. 
 
 Full
 
 Full CHORUS. 
 Mono ! thy grove is Virtue s throne ; 
 To Peace^ to Piety alone 
 
 Thy central Oak its Jbade extends^ 
 Here, melting in Devotion's fires, 
 The foul, fublim'di to beavn afpires, 
 
 Its drofs fabJideS) its gold afcenda. 
 
 END of the FIRST ACT. 
 
 ACT
 
 ACT II. 
 SCENE I. 
 
 CARACTACUS, MODRED, CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 TRUST me, thou fire of Mona ! All my foul 
 Is now prepar'd. I feel as fhould the man 
 Who, fcorning what he was, who, what he is, 
 Lamenting, refts all future hope of peace 
 On what thy rites fhall make him. Holy Druidj 
 Recall thy word ; give fignal for thofe rites. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 The cuftom'd hour is paft. It may not be* 
 What yet remains of night we dedicate 
 To pious mufing. Be thy ftation, Prince, 
 Behind the altar ; and, if fleep fhould deign 
 There to defcend upon thy clofed lids, 
 Haply her opiate poppies may fupply 
 More than their wonted balm, and purge thy foul 
 From each remaining frailty. Many there, 
 Refting their heads, have had experience ftrange 
 Of influential fandTity convey'd 
 In dream or vifion, whofe protracted power, 
 Full long beyond that dream or vifion's date, 
 Remain'd to blefs their bofoms. -Whence that 
 
 noife ? 
 
 Methought I heard the found of fteps profane. 
 Monarch, retire, the central Oak doth (hake. 
 
 [Exit Car abacus. 
 Enter a BARD. 
 Father, as we did watch the eaftern fide, 
 We faw, and inftant feiz'd two ftranger youths, 
 Who in the bottom of a fhadowy dell, 
 
 Held
 
 [ '9 ] 
 
 Held earneft converfe. Britons do they feem, 
 And of Brigantian race. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Hafte, drag them hither. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 VELLINUS, ELIDURUS, MODRED, CHORUS. 
 
 V E L L, I N U S. 
 
 O fpare, ye fage and venerable Druids, 
 Your countrymen and Tons. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 And are ye Britons ? 
 Unheard of profanation ! Rome herfelf 
 Would not have dar'd fo rafhly. Oh ! for words, 
 Big with the fierceft force of execration, V . 
 To blaft the deed and doers. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Spare the curfe, 
 Oh ! fpare our youth ! 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 is it not now the hour, 
 
 The holy hour, when to the cloudlefs height 
 Of yon ftarr'd concave climbs the full-orb'd moon, 
 And to this nether world in foltrmn ftillnefs 
 Gives fi-in, that to the lift'ning ear of Heav'n 
 Religion's voice fhould plead ? The very babe 
 Knows this, and, chance awak'd, his little hands 
 Lifts to the Gods, and on his innocent couch 
 Calls down a bleffing. Learn ye, wretches, learn. 
 At fuch an hour to prefs this hallow'd plain 
 Is lacrilege. 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 
 Dread Seer ! were Mona's plain 
 More hallow'd ftill, hallow'd as is Heav'n's felf, 
 The caufe might plead our pardon. 
 
 C 2 ELI-
 
 t 20 ] 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Mighty Druid ! 
 True, we have rafhly dar'd, yet forc'd by duty, 
 
 Our fov'reign's mandate 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Elder by my birth, 
 
 Brother, I claim, in right of elderfhip, 
 To open our high embafly. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Speak then ; 
 
 But fee thy words anfwer in honeft weight 
 To this proud prelude. Youth ! they muft be weighty, 
 T' atone for fuch a crime. |; 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 If then to give 
 
 New nerves to vanquifh'd valour ; if to fave 
 A bleeding country from oppreffion's fword, 
 Be weighty bufmefs, know, that bufmefs ours, 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 Declare it then at once, briefly and boldly. 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 CARACTACUS is here. 
 
 MOORED. 
 
 Say 'ft thou, proud boy ? 
 Tis boldly faid, and, grant 'twere truly faid, 
 Think'ft thou he were not here from fraud or force 
 As fafe as in a camp of conquerors ? 
 Here, youth, he would be guarded by the Gods ; 
 Each hair of his bleft head would in thefe caverns 
 S'.eep with the unfunn'd iilver of the mine, 
 As precious and as fafe j record the time, 
 When Mona e'er betray 'd the haplefs wretch, 
 That made her groves his refuge. 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Holy Druid ! 
 Can force, alas ! dwell in our unarm'd hands ? 
 
 Can
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 Can fraud in our young bofoms ? Know, dread Seer., 
 \Ve are the fons of her whofe righteous fway 
 Blefles the bold Brigantes ; men who firmly 
 Have three long moons withftood th' aflailing powY$ 
 Of fell OSTORIUS, that now falcon-like 
 Hang o'er our heads fufpended. Such the ftate 
 Of us and R.ome ; in which our prudent mother 
 Sends us to feek the great CARACTACUS, 
 Calling his valour forth to lead her bands, 
 To fight the caufe of Liberty and Britain, 
 And quell thefe ravagers. 
 
 [Carattacus Jlarts from behind the altar. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 CARACTACUS, MODRED, VELLINUS, 
 
 ELIDURUS, CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 And ye have found me ; 
 
 Friends, ye have found me : bring me to your Queen 
 And the laft purple drop in thefe old veins 
 Shall fall for her and Britain. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Rai'h, rafh Prince ! 
 VELLINUS. 
 Ye bleft immortal powers ! is this the man, 
 The more than man, who for nine bloody years 
 Withftood all Rome ? Hi is ; that warlike front, 
 Seam'd o'er with honeft fears, proclaims he is : 
 Kneel, brother, kneel, while in his royal hand 
 We lodge the fignet : this, in pledge of faith, 
 Great CARTISMANDUA fends, and with it tells thee 
 She has a nobler pledge than this beh.nd ; 
 
 Thy Queen 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 GuiDERIA ! 
 
 V E L-
 
 { 22 ] 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Safely with our Mother. 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 How, when, where refcu'd ? mighty Gods, I thank ye, 
 For it is true, this fignet fpeaks it true. 
 O tell me briefly. 
 
 V L L I N U S. 
 
 In a fally, Prince, 
 
 Which, wanting abler chiefs, my gracious mother 
 Committed to my charge, our troops aflail'd 
 One outwork of the camp ; and there my hand 
 Was doom'd with other prifoners to releafe 
 The captive matron. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Let me clafp thee, youth, 
 
 And thou flialt be my fon : I had one, ftranger, 
 Juft of thy years; he look'd like thee right honeft; 
 And yet he fail'd me. Were it not for him, 
 Who, as thou feeft, ev'n at this hour of joy, 
 Draws tears down mine old cheek, I were as bleft 
 As the great Gods. Oh, he has all difgrac'd 
 His high-born anceftry ! But I'll forget him. 
 Hafte, EVELINA, barb my knotty fpear, 
 
 My bow, my target 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Rafli CARACTACUS ! 
 What haft thou done ? What doft thou mean to do ? 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 To fave my country. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 To betray thyfelf. 
 
 That thou haft done ; the reft thou canft not do, 
 If Heav'n .forbids ; and of its will thou recks not. 
 Say, when thefe youths approach'd, did not the Oak, 
 That (hades yon Attar, tr-mble ? fuch an omen 
 Might bid thee doubt their truth. 
 
 C A R A C-
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 By Heav'n, I feel., 
 
 Beyond all omens, that within my breaft, 
 Which marfhals me to conqueft ; fomething here 
 That fnatches me beyond all mortal fears, 
 Lifts me to where upon her jafper throne 
 Sits flame-rob'd Victory, who calls me fon, 
 And crowns me with a Palm, whofe deathlefs green 
 Shall bloom when CESAR'S fades. 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Vain confidence ! 
 CARACTACUS. 
 Yet I fubmit in all 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 'Tis meet thou fhould'ft, 
 Thou art a King, a fov'reign o'er frail man ; 
 I am a Druid, fervant of the Gods ; 
 Such fervice is above fuch fov'reignty, 
 As well thou know'ft : if they fhould prompt thefe lips 
 To interdict the thing thou dar'ft to do, 
 What would avail thy daring ? 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Holy man ! 
 
 But thou wilt blefs it; Heav'n will bid thee blefs it; 
 Thou know'ft that, when we fight to fave our country, 
 We fight the caufe of Heav'n. The man that fajls. 
 Falls hallow'd ; falls a victim for the Gods ; 
 For them and for their altars. 
 
 M C D R E D. 
 
 Valiant Prince ! 
 
 Think not we lightly rate our country's weal, 
 Or thee, our country's champion. Well we know 
 The glorious meed of thofe exalted fouls, 
 Who flame like thee for freedom : mark me, Prince ! 
 The time will come, when Deftiny and Death, 
 Thron'd in a burning car, the thund'ring wheels 
 
 Arm'd
 
 Arm'd with gigantic fcythes of adamant, 
 ShaH fcour this field of life : and in the rear 
 The fiend Oblivion : kingdoms, empires, worlds 
 Melt in the general blaze : when, lo ! from high 
 Andrafte darting, catches from the wreck 
 The roll of Fame, claps her afcending plumes, 
 And ftamps on orient ftars each patriot name, 
 Round her eternal dome. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Speak ever thus, 
 
 And I will hear thee, 'till attention faint 
 In heedlefs extafy. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 This tho' we know, 
 
 Let man beware with headlong zeal to rufh 
 Where {laughter calls j it is not courage, Prince I 
 No nor the pride and pra&is'd fkill in arms, 
 That gains this meed : the warrior is no patriot, 
 Save when, obfequious to the will of Heav'n, 
 He draws the fword of vengeance. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Surely, Druid, 
 Such fair occafion fpeaks the will of Heav'n - 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Monarch, perahance thou haft a fair occafion : 
 &ut, if thou haft, the Gods will foon declare it : 
 And this demands our fearch. Mortals, retire ! 
 Leave ye the grove to us and Infpiration. 
 
 [Exeunt Caraftacus, Vellinus, 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 MODRED, CHORUS. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 My holy Brethren ftay ; and you, ye Bards, 
 LEOLINE, CADWALL, HOEL, CANTABER, 
 
 Attend
 
 [ 25 1 
 
 Attend upon our. flumbers : Wond'rous 
 
 Ye, whofe fkill'd fingers know how beft to lead 
 
 Thro' all the maze of found, the wayward ftep 
 
 Of Harmony, guiding her varied courfe 
 
 Thro' diflbnance to concord, fweeteft then 
 
 Ev'n when expe&ed harfheft. MADOR, thou 
 
 Full oft malt interpofe : Thy fpirit fublime 
 
 Can burft in unpremeditated ftrains 
 
 Of Poefy, that fcorn the warbling aid 
 
 Of voice or harp. Thou haft the key, great Bard t 
 
 That beft can ope the portal of the foul ; 
 
 Unlock it ftraight, and lead the penfive Pilgrim 
 
 Through the vaft regions of futurity. 
 
 ODE. 
 
 A I R. 
 
 Second BARD. 
 flail! thou harp of Phrygian frame ! 
 
 In years of yore that Camber bore 
 From Troy's fejtulchral flame ; 
 
 With ancient BRUTE, to Britain's Jhore 
 Tfye mighty minjlrel came : 
 
 RECITATIVE accompanied. 
 
 Fourth BARD. 
 Sublime upon thy burnijb'd prow t 
 He bad thy manly modes to flow ; 
 
 A I R. 
 "Britain heard the defcant bold. 
 
 She flung her white 'arms o'er the fea j 
 Proud in her leafy bofom to enfold 
 
 The freight of harmony. ,%\ 
 
 MADOR. 
 Mute 'till then was ev'ry plain, 
 
 Save where the flood o'er mountains rude 
 Tumbled his tide amain : 
 
 And Echo from th' impending wood 
 Refounded the hoarfe ftrain ; 
 
 D While
 
 While from the north the fallen gale 
 
 With hollow whiftlings fhook the vale ; 
 Difmal notes, and anfwer'd foon 
 
 By favage howl the heaths among, 
 What time the wolf doth bay the trembling mooflj 
 
 And thin the bleating throng. 
 
 Thou fpak'ft, imperial Lyre, 
 The rough roar ceas'd, and airs from high 
 Lapt the land in extafy : 
 
 Fancy, the fairy with thee came ; 
 
 And Infpiration, bright-ey'd dame, 
 Oft at thy call would leave her fapphire fky 3 
 
 And, if not vain the verfe prefumes, 
 Ev'n now fome chafte Divinity is near : 
 
 For lo ! the found of diflant plumes 
 Pants thro' the pathlefs defart of the air. 
 
 'Tis not the flight of her ; 
 
 'Tis Sleep, her dewy harbinger. 
 
 Second BARD. 
 Change my harp, Oh change thy meafures 3 
 Cull, from thy mellifluous treafures, 
 
 Notes that Jleal on even feet^ 
 Ever Jlow^ yet never paufing, 
 
 Mixt with many a warble fweet, 
 In a ling ring cadence clofmg. 
 
 M A D O R. 
 
 Now the pleas'd pow'r finks gently down the fides, 
 And feals with hand of down the Druid's flumb'ring eyes. 
 Thrice I paufe, and thrice I found [Symphony. 
 
 The central firing, and now I ring 
 (By meafur'd lore profound) [Symphony. 
 
 A fevenfold chime, and fweep, and fwing, 
 Above, below, around, 
 
 To mix thy mufic with the fpheres, 
 
 That warble to immortal ears. [Symphony. 
 
 In*
 
 Infpiration hears the call j 
 
 She rifes from her throne above, 
 And, fudden as the glancing meteors fall. 
 
 She comes, me fills the grove. 
 High her port ; her waving hand 
 
 A pencil bears; the days, the years, 
 Arife at her command, 
 
 And each obedient colouring wears. 
 Lo, where Time's piclur'd band 
 
 In hues ethereal glide along ; 
 
 Oh mark the tranfitory throng ; 
 Now they dazzle, now they die, 
 
 Inftant they flit from light to fhade, 
 Mark the blue forms of faint futurity, 
 
 Oh mark them ere they fade, 
 
 Whence was that inward groan ? 
 Why burfts thro' clofed lids the tear ? 
 Why uplifts the bridling hair 
 
 Its white and venerable fliade ? 
 
 Why down the confecrated head 
 Courfes in chilly drops the dew of fear > 
 
 All is not well, the pale-ey'd moon 
 Curtains her head in clouds, the ftars retire, 
 
 Save from the fultry fouth alone 
 The fwart ftar flings his peftilential fire ; 
 
 Ev'n Sleep herfelf will fly, 
 
 If not recall'd by Harmony. 
 
 Third BARD. 
 Wake^ my lyre! thy fofteft numbers. 
 Such as nurfe ecftatlc Jlumbers y 
 Sweet as tranquil Virtue feels 
 
 When the toil of life is ending, 
 While from the earth the fpirit Jleah, 
 
 And, on new-born plumes afcending t 
 
 D 2 Hajtens
 
 Hajlens to lave In the bright fount of day, 
 'Till Dejliny prepare a Jhrine of purer clay. 
 
 M O D R E D, waking, /peaks. 
 It may not be. Avaunt terrific axe ; 
 Why hangs thy bright edge glaring o'er the grove ? 
 Oh for a giant's nerve to ward the ftroke ! 
 It bows, it falls. 
 Where am I ? hufh, my foul ! 
 'Twas all a dream. Refume no more the ftrain : 
 The midnight air falls chilly on my breaft ; 
 And now I fliiver, now a fev'rifti glow 
 Scorches my vitals. IJark ! fome ftep approaches. 
 
 SCENE V. 
 EVELINA, MODRED, CHORUS, 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Thus, with my wayward fears, to burft unbidden 
 On your dread fynod, roufing, as ye feem, 
 From holy trance, appears a defperate deed, 
 Ev'n to the wretch who dares it. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Virgin ! quickly 
 Pronounce the caufe. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Bear with a fimple maid 
 Too prone to fear, perchance my fears are vain., 
 
 MODRED. 
 But yet declare them. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 I fufpet me much 
 The faith of thefe Brigantes. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Say'ft thou, Virgin ? 
 Heed what thou fay'ftj Sufpicion is a gueft 
 
 That
 
 That in the breaft of man, of wrathful man, 
 Too oft' his welcome finds ; yet feldom fure 
 In that fubmifiive calm that fmooths the mind 
 Of maiden innocence. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 I know it well : 
 
 Yet muft I ftill diftruft the elder ftr?nger : 
 For while he talks, (and much the flatterer talks) 
 His brother's filent carriage gives difproof 
 Of all his wordy boaft. Oft too I faw 
 A figh unbidden heave the younger's breaft, 
 Half check'd as it was rais'd j fometimes, methoughr., 
 His gentle eye would caft a glance on me, 
 As if he pitied me ; and then again 
 Would faften on my father, gazing there 
 To veneration ; then he'd figh again, 
 Look on the ground, and hang his modeft head 
 Molt penfively. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 This may demand, my brethren, 
 More ferjous fearch : Virgin ! proceed. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 'Tis true, 
 
 My father, rapt in high heroic zeal, 
 Heeds not the diff'rent carriage of thefe brethren. 
 Yet fure 'tis ftrange, if, as the tale reports, 
 lyiy mother fojourns with this diftant Queen, 
 She fliould not fend or to my fire, or me, 
 Some fond remembrance of her love ? ah ! none, 
 With tears I fpeak it, none, not her dear bleffing 
 flas reach'd my longing ears. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 The Gods, my brethren, 
 Infpire thefe fcruples ; oft to female (oftnefs, 
 Oft to the purity of virgin fouls, 
 Doth Heav'n its voluntary light difpenfe, 
 
 When
 
 [ 30 ] 
 
 When victims bleed in vain. They muft be fpies. 
 Hie thee, good CANTABER, and to our prefence 
 Summon the young Brigantian. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Do not that, 
 
 Or, if ye do, yet treat -him nothing fternly ; 
 The foftefl terms from fuch a tender breaft 
 Will draw comeifion, and, if ye fhall find 
 The treafon ye fufpe6t, forbear to curfe him. 
 (Not that my weaknefs means to guide your wifdom) 
 Yet, as I think he would not wittingly 
 E'er do a deed of bafenefs, were it granted 
 That I might queftion him, my heart forebodes 
 It more could gain by gentlenefs and prayers, 
 Than will the fierceft threats. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Perchance it may : 
 
 And quickly {halt thou try. But fee the King ? 
 And with him both the youths. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Alas ! my fears 
 
 Forewent my errand, elfe had I inform'd thee 
 That therefore did 1 come, and from my father 
 To gain admiflion. Mark the younger, Druid, 
 How fad he feems ; oft did he in the cave 
 So fold his arms 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 We mark him much, and much 
 The elder's free and dreadlefs confidence. 
 Virgin, retire awhile in yonder vale, 
 Nor, 'till thy royal father quits the grove, 
 Refume thy {ration here. [Exit Evelina* 
 
 SCENE
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 CARACTACUS, MODRED, VELLINUS, ELI- 
 DURUS, CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Forgive me, Druid ! 
 My eager foul no longer could fuftain 
 The pangs of expectation -, the great caufe, 
 I truft, abfolves me: Fathers, it is yours; 
 'Tis freedom's, 'tis the caufe of Heav'n itfclf ; 
 And fure Heav'n owns it fuch. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 CARACTACUS, 
 
 All that by fage and fan&imonious rites 
 Might of the Gods be afk'd, we have eflay'd ; 
 And yet, nor to our wifh, nor to their wont, 
 Gave they benign affent. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Death to our hopes ! 
 MODRED. 
 
 While yet we lay in facred {lumber tranc'd, 
 Sullen and fad to Fancy's frighted eye 
 Did fhapes of dun and murky hue advance, 
 In train tumultuous ; ftarting we awoke, 
 Yet felt no waking calm ; ftill all was dark : 
 Sufpicious tremors ftill- 
 
 VELLINUS. 
 
 Of what fufpicious ? 
 
 Druid, our Queen 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Reft rain thy wayward tongue* 
 Infolent youth ! in fuch licentious mood 
 To interrupt our fpeech ill fuits thy years, 
 And worfe our fan&ity. 
 
 CARAC,
 
 [ 3* 1 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 'Tis his diftrefs 
 
 flakes him forget, what elfe his reverent zeal 
 Would pay ye holily. Think what he feels, 
 Poor youth ! who fears yon moon, before flie wanes^ 
 May fee his country conquer'd ; fee his Mother, 
 The victor's flave, her royal blood debas'd, 
 Dragging her chains thro' the throng'd ftreets of Rome, 
 To grace oppreffion's triumph. ./%; 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Monarch, yes,- 
 
 If Heav'n reftrains thy formidable Avord, 
 Or to its ftroke denies that juft fuccefs 
 Which Heav'n alone can give, I fear me much 
 Our Queen, burfelves, nay Britain's felf, muft perifh; 
 
 CARACTAGUS. 
 But is not this a fear makes Virtue vain ? 
 Tears from yon miniftring regents of the fky 
 Their right ? Plucks from firm-handed Providence, 
 The golden reins of fubl unary fway; 
 And gives them to blind Chance ? Nay, frown notj Dru?d> 
 I do not think 'tis thus. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 We truft thou do'ft not. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 Matters of Wifdom ! No i my foul confides 
 In that all-healing and all-forming Power, 
 Who, on the radiant day when Time was born, 
 Caft his broad eye upon the wild of ocean, 
 And calm'd it with a glance : then, plunging deep 
 His mighty arm, piuck'd from its dark* domain 
 This throne of Freedom, lifted it to light, 
 Girt it with filver cliffs, and call'd it Britain : 
 He did, and will preferve it. 
 
 MODRED.
 
 [ 33 ] 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Pious Prince ! 
 
 In that all-healing and all- forming power 
 Still let thy foul Confide; but not in men, 
 No, not in thefe, ingenuous as they feem, 
 'Till they are try'd by that high teft of faith 
 Our ancient laws ordain. 
 
 V E L L I N U S. 
 
 Illuftrious Seer ! 
 
 Methinks our Sov'reign's fignet well might plead 
 Her envoy's faith. Xhy pardon, mighty Druid, 
 Not for ourfelves, but for our Queen we plead 5 
 Miftrufting us, ye wound her honour. 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Peace; 
 
 Our will admits no parley. Thither, Youths, 
 Turn your aftonifh'd eyes ; behold yon huge 
 And unhewn fphere of living adamant, 
 \Vhich, pois'd by magic, refts its central weight 
 On yonder pointed rock : firm as it feems, 
 Such is its ftrange and virtuous property, 
 It moves obfequious to the gentleft touch 
 Of him, whofe breaft is pure ; but to a traitor, 
 Tho' ev'n a giant's prowefs nerv'd his arm, 
 It ftands as fixt as Snowdon. No reply ; 
 The Gods command that one of you mufr. now 
 Approach and try it : in your fnowy veils, 
 Ye Priefts, involve the lots, and to the younger, 
 As is our wont, tender the choice of Fate. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 Heav'ns ! is it fall'n on me ? 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Young Prince, it is ; 
 Prepare thee for thy trial. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Gracious Gods ! 
 E Wke
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 Who may look up to your tremendous throne^ 
 And fay his breaft is pure ? All-fearching Pow'rSj 
 Ye know already how and what I am ; 
 And what ye mean to publifh me in Mona, 
 To that I yield and tremble. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Roufe thee, Youth ! 
 
 And, with that courage honeft Truth fupplies, 
 (For fure ye both are true) hafte to the trial ; 
 Behold I lead thee on. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Prince, we arreft 
 
 Thy Hafty ftep : Know, e'er he meet that trial, 
 He muft be plung'd into the dark drear, womb 
 Of this deep cavern, which the yawning Earth, 
 StrUck with our wand, now opens to thy view. 
 A thoufand rugged fteps of mofs-grown rock 
 Lead to its horrible bafe. Low as that bafe, 
 Where never ray of chearing light yet fhot, 
 The youth muft now defcend ^ there fhall he lit, 
 With folitude and filence compafs'd round, 
 Till our recalling clarion bids him climb 
 Again to our dread prefence. Meanwhile there, 
 Ev'n In the centre of that perilous pit, 
 The folemn recollection of his deeds 
 Done, or defign'd, fhall pafs in cold review 
 Before him ; horror then fhall fhake his foul, 
 If, in the varied file, one deed be found 
 Alien to Truth and Virtue. [Elidurus defcends. 
 
 To thy charge,. 
 
 CARACTACUS, his brother we confign. 
 Guard him in yonder cave. The trial paft, 
 Again will we confer, touching that part 
 Which Heav'n's high will ordains thee to perform. 
 END of the- SECOND ACT. 
 
 ACT
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 ACT III. 
 SCENE I. 
 
 ^he curtain draws up, while a flow march is played. 
 MOORED, &c. open the cavern in which ELIDURUS 
 was confined : they lead him in procejjion round the al- 
 tar, and from thence to the rocking Jlone : then the 
 following Ode is performed by MA DOR and the Bards. 
 
 ODE. 
 RECITATIVE accompanied, 
 
 Second BARD. 
 CT'HOU Spirit pure, that fpread'Jl unfeen 
 
 Thy pinions o'er this ponderous fphere. 
 And, breathing thro 1 each rigid vein, 
 Fill'Jl with Jlupendous life the marble mafs^ 
 And bid' ft it bow upon its bafe, 
 IVlien fov' 'reign Truth is near ; 
 
 Full CHORUS. 
 Spirit in-vifible ! to thee 
 Ifa jwell the folcmn harmony. 
 
 AIR and CHORUS. 
 Hear us, and aid: 
 T]JOU that in Virtue's caufe 
 O'er-rule/i Nature's laws, 
 Oh hear, and aid with influence high 
 The fans of Peace and Piety. 
 
 M A D O R, 
 Firft-born of that ethereal tribe 
 Call'd into birth ere time or place, 
 
 "Whom wave nor wind can circumfcribe, 
 Heirs of the liquid liberty of Light, 
 That float on rainbow pennons bright 
 
 Thro' all the wilds of fpace, 
 Yet thou alone of all thy kind 
 Can'ft range the regions of the mind, 
 
 E 2 Then
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 Thou only know'ft '""" 
 
 That dark meandring maze, . 
 
 Where wayward Falfehood ftrays, 
 And, feizing fwift the lurking fpritc, 
 Forceft her forth to fhame and light. 
 
 Thou can'ft enter the dark cell 
 Where the vulture Confcience /lumbers, 
 And, unarm'd by charming fpell, 
 
 Or magic numbers, 
 
 Can'ft roufe her from her formidable fleep, 
 And bid her dart her raging talons deep ; 
 
 Yet, ah ! too feldom doth the furious fiend 
 Thy bidding wait; vindictive, felf-prepar'd, 
 
 She knows her torturing time ; too fure to rend 
 The trembling heart, when Virtue quits her guard* 
 
 Paufe then, celeftial gueft ! 
 And, brooding on thine adamantine fphere, 
 If fraud approach, Spirit, that fr,aud declare : 
 To Confcience and to Mona leave the reft. 
 RECITATIVE accompanied* 
 
 Fourth BARD. 
 Paufe then, celcjlial gucjl ! 
 And, brooding on thine adamantine fphere, 
 If fraud approach^ Spirit, that fraud declare :. 
 To Conscience and to Mona leave the rejh 
 Full CHORUS. 
 To Confcience and to Mona leave the rejl. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Heard'ft thou the awful invocation, Youth s 
 Wrapt in thofe holy harpings ? 
 
 E L I D U R U S, 
 
 Sage, I did j 
 
 And it came o'er my foul as doth the thunder, 
 While diftant yet, with an expected burft, 
 It threats the trembling ear. Now to the trial. 
 
 MOORED. 
 Ere that, bethink thee well what rig'rous doom 
 
 Attends
 
 t 37 ] 
 
 Attends thine at : if failing, certain death. 
 
 So certain, that in our abfolving tongues 
 
 Refts not that power may fave thee : thou muft die. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 EVELINA, ELIDURUS, MODRED, CHORUS, 
 
 EVELINA. 
 Die, fay'ft thou ? Druid ! 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 EVELINA here? 
 ,ead to the rock. 
 
 MODRED. 
 No, youth, awhile we fpare thee }, 
 And, in our ftead, permit this royal maiden 
 To urge thee firft with virgin gentlenefs. 
 RefpecT: O ur clemency, and meet her queftions 
 With anfwers prompt and true: fo may'ft thou 'fcape 
 A fterner trial. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 Rather to the rock. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Doft thou difdain me, Prince ? Loft as I am, 
 Methinks the daughter of CARACTACUS 
 Might merit milder treatment : I was born- 
 To royal hopes and promife, nurs'd i' th' lap 
 Of foft Profperity ; alas the change ! 
 I meant but to addrefs a few brief words 
 To this young Prince, and he doth turn his eye, 
 And fcorns to anfwer me, 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 Scorn thee ! fweet maid ? 
 
 No ; 'tis the fear 
 
 EVELINA. 
 And can'ft thou fear me, Youth ? 
 Ev'n while I led a life of royalty, 
 I bore myfelf to all with meek deportment, 
 
 In 
 
 327550
 
 [ 38 ] 
 
 In nothing harfh, or cruel : and, howe'er 
 Misfortune works upon the minds of men, 
 (For fome, they fay, it turns to very ftone) 
 Mine, I am fure, it foftens. Wert thou guilty, 
 Yet I mould pity thee ; nay, wert thou leagued 
 To load this fuffering heart with more misfortunes. 
 Still fhould I pity thee ; nor e'er believe 
 Thou would'ft, on free and voluntary choice, 
 Betray the innocent. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Indeed I would not. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 No, gracious Youth, I do believe thou would'ft not ; 
 For on thy brow the liberal hand of Heav'n 
 Has portray'd Truth as vifible and bold, 
 As were the pi&ur'd funs that deckt the brows 
 Of our brave anceftors. Say then, young Prince, 
 (For therefore have I w;fh'd to queftion thee) 
 Bring ye no token of a mother's fondnefs 
 To her expecting child ? A captive Queen 
 Has more than common claim for pity, Prince ! 
 And ev'n the ills of venerable age 
 Were caufe enough to move thy tender nature. 
 The tears o'ercharge thine eye. Alas, my fears ! 
 Sicknefs or fore infirmity had feiz'd her 
 Before thou left'ft the palace, elfe her lips 
 Had to thy care entrufted fome kind meflage, 
 And bleft her haplefs daughter by thy tongue. 
 Would (he were here ! 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Would Heav'n fhe were ! 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Ah, why ? 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 Becaufe you wifli it. 
 
 EVE-
 
 [ 39 ] 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Thanks, ingenuous Youth* 
 For this thy courtefy. Yet, if the Queen 
 Thy mother fhines with fuch rare qualities, 
 As late thy brother boafted, {he will calm 
 Her woes, and I fhall clafp her aged knees 
 
 Again in peace and liberty. Alas ! 
 
 He fpeaks not j all my fears are juft. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 What fears ? 
 
 The Queen GUIDERIA is not dead. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Not dead ! 
 
 But is fhe in that happy ftate of freedom 
 Which we were taught to hope ? Why figh'ft thou, Youth ? 
 Thy years have yet been profp'rous. Did thy father 
 E'er lofe a kingdom ? Did captivity 
 E'er feize thy fhrieking mother ? Thou can'ft go 
 To yonder cave, and find thy brother fafe : 
 He is not loft as mine is. Youth, thou figh'ft 
 Again ; thou haft not fure fuch caufe for forrow ; 
 But if thou haft, give me thy griefs, I pray thee ; 
 I have a heart can foftly fympathize, 
 And fympathy is foothing. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 O Gods ! Gods ! 
 
 She tears my foul. What fhall I fay ? 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Perchance, 
 
 For all in this bad world muft have their forrows, 
 Thou too haft thine; and may'ft, like me, be wretched. 
 Haply amid the woes thefe fons of blood 
 Bring on our groaning country, fome chafte maid, 
 Whofe tender foul was link'd by love to thine, 
 Might fall the trembling prey to Roman rage, 
 v'n at the golden hour when holy rites 
 
 Had
 
 r 40 1 
 
 Had feal'd your virtuous vows. If it were fo, 
 Indeed I pity her ! 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 Not that : not that. 
 
 Never till now did beauty's matchlefs beam 
 But I am dumb. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Why that dejeded eye ? 
 
 And why this filence ? That fome weighty grief 
 O'erhangs thy foul, thy ev'ry look proclaims. 
 Why then refufe it words ? The heart that bleeds 
 From any ftroke of fate or human wrongs, 
 Loves to difclofe itfelf, that lift'ning Pity 
 May drop a healing tear upon the wound. 
 Tis only, when with inbred horror fmote 
 At fome bafe aft, or done, or to be done, 
 That the recoiling foul, with confcious dread, 
 Shrinks back into itfelf. But thou, good Youth 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 Ceafe, royal maid ! permit me to depart. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Yet hear me, ftranger ! Truth and Secrefy, 
 Tho' friends, are feldom neceflary friends 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 I go to try my truth. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 O ! go not hence 
 
 In wrath ; think not that I fufpect thy virtue : 
 Yet ignorance may oft make virtue flide, 
 
 And if 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 In pity fpare me. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 If thy brother- 
 Nay, ftart not, do not turn thine eye from mine } 
 Speak, I conjure thee, is his purpofe honeft ? 
 
 I
 
 [ 41 ] 
 
 I know the guilty price that barb'rous Rome 
 
 Sets on my Father's head ; and gold, vile gold, 
 
 Has now a charm for Britons : Yes, thou fhudder'ft 
 
 At the dire thought ; yet not as if 'twere ftrange, 
 
 But as our fears were mutual. Ah ! young ftranger,- 
 
 That open face fcarce needs a tongue to utter 
 
 What works within. Come then, ingenuous Prince^ 
 
 And inftant make difcovery to the Druid, 
 
 While yet 'tis not too late. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Ah ! what difcover ? 
 Say, whom muft I betray ? 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Thy brother. 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Ha! 
 
 EVELINA. 
 Who is no brother, if his guilty foul 
 Teems with fuch perfidy. O all ye ftars I 
 Can he be brother to a youth like thee, 
 Who would betray an old and honour'd King, 
 That King his countryman, the pride of Britain ? 
 Can he be brother to a youth like thee, 
 Who from a young, defencelefs, innocent maid, 
 Would take that King her father ? Make her fuffer 
 All that an orphan fuffers ? More perchance : 
 The ruffian foe. O tears, ye choak my utterance ! 
 
 It cannot be and yet thou ftill art filent. 
 
 Turn, Youth, and fee me weep : ah, fee me kneel. 
 
 \ am of royal blood, not wont to kneel, 
 
 Yet will I kneel to thee. Oh fave my father ! 
 
 Save a diftrefsful maiden from the force 
 
 Of barbarous men ! Be thou a brother to me, 
 
 For mine, alas ! Ha ! 
 
 [Sees Arviragus entering. 
 F SCENE
 
 14.) 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS, EVELINA, ELIDURUS, 
 MOD RED, CHORUS. 
 
 A R V I R A G U S. 
 
 EVELINA, rife ! 
 
 JCnow, maid, I ne'er will tamely fee thee kneel, 
 Ev'n at the foot of CAESAR. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 ^ d V'Tis himfeif: 
 
 And he will prove my father's fears were falfe ; 
 Falfe, as his fon is brave. Thou beft of brothers, 
 Come to my arms. Where haft thou been, thou wanderer ? 
 How wert thou fav'd ? Indeed, ARVIRAGUS, 
 I never fhed fuch tears, fmce thou wert loft, 
 For thefe are tears of rapture. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS 
 
 EVELINA ! 
 
 . -'! : .; Wo 
 
 Fain wou d I greet thee as a brother ought : 
 But wherefore did'ft thou kneel ? 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Oh ! afk not now. 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 By heav'n I muft ; and he muft anfwer me, 
 Whoe'er he be. What art thou, fullen ftranger ? 
 
 ,E L I D U R U S. 
 A Briton. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 Brief and bold. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Ah, fpafe the taunt : 
 
 He merits not thy wrath. Behold the Druids : 
 Lo ! they advance. With holy reverence firft 
 Thou muft addrefs their fan&ity. 
 
 ARVI-
 
 [ 43 ] 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 I will. 
 
 But fee, proud Boy, thou do'ft not quit the grove 
 'Till time allows us parley. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Prince, I mean not. 
 [Elidurus retires among the Chorus. 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 Sages, and fons of heav'n ! Illuftrious Druids ! 
 Abruptly I approach your facred prefence : 
 
 Yet fuch dire tidings 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 On thy peril, peace ! 
 
 Thou ftand'ft accus'd, and hy a father's voice, 
 Of i rimes abhorr'd, of cowardice and flight ; 
 And therefore may 'ft not in thefe facred groves 
 Utter polluted accents. Quickly fay, 
 Wherefore thou fled'ft ? For, that bafe fat unclear'd, 
 We hold no further conv rfe. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Oh ye Gods ! 
 
 Am I the fon of your CARACTACUS ? 
 And could I fly? 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 Wafte not or time or words, 
 But tell us why thou fled'ft. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 I fled not, Druid! 
 
 By the great Gods I fled not ! Lve to ftop 
 Our daftard troops, and rally them ; when lo ! 
 A random fhaft did level me with earth, 
 Where, pale and fenfelefs as the flain around me, 
 I lay till midnight ; when a pitying hind 
 Found me, and fuccour ? d me. My ftrength repair'd, 
 Need I repeat the arts I us'd to fcreen me ? 
 Jifow now a peafant, from a beggarly fcrip 
 
 F 2 Z
 
 [ 44 ] 
 
 fold cheap food to flaves that nam'd the price. 
 
 Nor after gave it. Now a minftrel poor, 
 
 With ill-tun'd harp, I ply'd a thriftlefs trade, 
 
 And by fuch fhifts did win obfcurity 
 
 To fhroud my name. At length to other conquefts 
 
 QSTORIUS led his legions : fafely now 
 
 I to feme valiant friends unmafk'd myfelf, 
 
 And with them plann'd how fureft we might dra\y 
 
 Our forces to CAERNARVON. Here our art 
 
 So well avail'd, that now at SNOWDON'S foot 
 
 Full twenty troops of hardy veterans wait 
 
 To call my fire their leader. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Valiant Youth 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 He is 1 faid he was- a valiant Youth ; 
 
 Jor has he fham'd his race. Yes, I will fly 
 And blefs him with the news. 
 
 \Exit Evelina, 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 MODRED, ARVIRAGUS, CHORUS. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 We do believe 
 
 Thy modeft tale : and may the righteous Gods 
 Thus ever fhed upon thy noble breaft 
 Difcretion's cooling dew. When nurtur'd fo, 
 Then, only then, doth valour bloom mature. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 Yet vain is valour, howfoe'er it bloom. 
 Druid, the Gods frown on us. All my hopes 
 Are blafted. I fhall ne'er rejoin my friends ; 
 Ne'er blefs them with my father. Holy men, 
 J have a tale to tell, will fliake your fouls. 
 
 Your
 
 [ 45 3 
 
 Your fylona is invaded : Rome approaches i 
 Ev'n to thefe groves approaches. 
 MOORED. 
 
 Horror ! horror ! 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 Late as I landed on yon higheft beach, 
 Where, nodding from the rocks, the poplars fling 
 Their fcatter'd arms, and dafh them in the wave; 
 There were their veiTels moor'd, as if they fought 
 Concealment in the (hade ; and as I paft 
 Up yon thick-planted ridge, I 'fpy'd their helms 
 'Mid brakes and boughs trench'd in the heath below. 
 Where like a neft of night-worms did they glitter, 
 Sprinkling the plain with brightnefs. On I fped 
 With filent ftep, yet oft did pafs fo near, 
 'Twas next to prodigy I 'fcap'd unfeen. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 Their numbers, Prince ? 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Few, if mine hafty eye 
 Did find and count them all. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 O brethren, brethren! 
 
 Treafon and facrilege, worfe foes than Rome, 
 Have led Rome hither. Inftant fcize that wretch, 
 And bring him to our prefence. 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 MOD&ED, ELIDURUS, ARVIRAGUS, 
 CHORUS. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Say, thou falfe one ! 
 What doom befits the flave who fclls his country ? 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 Death, fudden death ! 
 
 MO-
 
 [ 46 } 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 No ; bn^?rin c : pkce-meal death ! 
 And to fuch death thy I; other and thyfelf 
 We now devote. Villain, thy deeds are known J 
 *Tis known ye led the impious Romans hither 
 To- flaughter us ev'n on our holy ahars. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 That on my foul doth lie fome fecret grief 
 Tbefe looks perforce will tell. It is not fear, 
 Druids, it is not fear that {hakes me thus : 
 The great Gods know it is not; ye can never: 
 For, what tho' wifdom lifts ye next thofe gods, 
 Ye cannot, like to them, unlock men's breafts, 
 And read their inmoft thoughts. Ah ! that ye could. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 What haft thou done ? 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 What, Prince, I will not tell, 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 \Vretch, there are means 
 
 L I D U R U S. 
 
 I know, and terrible means ; 
 And 'tis both fit that you fhould try thofe means, 
 And I endure them : yet 1 think my patience 
 Will for fome fpace baffle your torturing fury. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Be that beft known, when our inflicted goads 
 Harrow thy fiefh ! 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Stranger, ere this is try'd, 
 Confefs the whole of thy black perfidy : 
 So black, that when I look upon thy youth, 
 Read thy mild eye, and mark thy modeft brow, 
 I think, indeed, thou durft not. 
 
 ELI,
 
 t 47 1 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Such a crime, 
 
 Indeed, I durft not ; and would rather be 
 The very wretch thou feeft. I'll fpeak no more. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 "Brethren, 'tis fo. The virgin's thoughts were ju&: 
 This Youth has been deceiv'd. 
 
 L I D U R U S. 
 
 Yes , one word more : 
 You fay the Romans have invaded Mona. 
 Give me a fword and twenty honeit Britons, 
 And I will quell thofe Romans. Vain demand ! 
 Alas ! you cannot. Ye are men of peace. 
 Religion's felf forbids. Lead then to torture. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 Now on my foul this Youth doth move me much. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Think not religion and our holy office 
 Doth teach us tamely, like the bleating lamb, 
 To crouch before oppreffion, and with neck 
 Outftretch'd await the ftroke. Know, when I blow 
 That facred trumpet bound with fable fillets 
 To yonder branching oak, the awful found 
 Calls forth a thoufaiid Britons train'd alike 
 In holy and in martial exercife ; 
 Not by fuch mode and rule as Romans ufe, 
 But of that fierce portentous horrible fort 
 As (hall appall even Romans. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Gracious Gods ! 
 
 Then there are hopes indeed. Oh call them inftant : 
 This Prince will lead them on : I'll follow him, 
 Tho' in my chains, and fome way dafh them round 
 To harm the haughty foe. 
 
 ARVI-
 
 1 48 ] 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 A thoufand Britons f 
 
 And arm'ci F O inftant blow the facred trump, 
 And let me head them. Yet methinks this Youth 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 I know what thou would'ft fay : might join thee, Prince/ 1 
 True ; were he free from crime, or had confeft. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 Confeft ! ah, think not, I will e'er 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Reflet. 
 Either thyfeif or brother muft have wrong'd us : 
 
 Then why conceal 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 Haft thou a brother ? No ! 
 
 Elfe had'ft thou fpar'd the word ; and yet a fifter, 
 lovely as thine, might more than teach thce, Prince^' 
 What 'tis to have a brother. Hear me, Druids ! 
 Tho' I would prize an hour of freedom now 
 Before an age of any after date ; 
 Tho' I would feize it as the gift of heav'n, 
 And ufe it as heav'n's gift ; yet do not think 
 I fo will purchafe it. Give it rn,e freely, 
 I yet will fpurn the boon, and jh^g my chain?, 
 Till you do fwear by your own hoary heads, 
 My brother (hall be fafe. 
 
 M O D R E D: 
 
 Excellent Youth ! 
 
 Thy words do fpeak thy foul, and fuch a foul 
 As wakes our wonder. Thou art free ; thy brother 
 Shall be thine honour's pledge : fo will we ufe him 
 As thou art falfe or true. . i . 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 I afk no other. 
 
 . ,x ARVIRAGUS. 
 Thus then, my fellow foldier, to thy clafp
 
 [49] 
 
 I give the hand of friendfhip. Noble Youth ! 
 We'll fpeed, or clie together. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Hear us, Prince ! 
 
 Mona permits not that he fight her battles 
 'Till duly purified : for tho' his foul 
 Took up unwittingly this deed of bafenefs, 
 Yet is luftration meet. I/earn, that in vice 
 There is a noifome ranknefs which offends 
 Heav'n's pure divinities, as us the flench 
 Of pois'nous weed obfcene. Hence doth the man, 
 \Vho ev'n converfes with a villain, need 
 As much purgation as the pallid wretch 
 'Scap'd from the walls, where frowning Peftilence 
 Spreads wide her livid banners. For this caufe, 
 Ye Priefts, conduct the Youth to yonder fount, 
 And do the needful rites. 
 
 \_Extunt Priefts with 'Eiidttrus 
 
 For thce, brave Prince, 
 Some fit repofe is needful. To our cave, 
 Behold, we lead thee ; and, feme moments there 
 To that repofe allow'd, we then will blefs 
 Thy duteous eyes with their dear father's prefence. 
 
 [Exeunt 
 
 END of the THIRD AC T. 
 
 G ACT
 
 [50] 
 
 ACT IV. 
 SCENE I. 
 
 TJje curtain draws up, and difcovers MOORED and the 
 CHORUS before the altar: then y on one fide ^ enter 
 CARACTACUS and EVELINA ; on the other, ARVI- 
 RAGUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS, ARVIRAGUS, CHORUS, 
 EVELINA. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 OMy ARVIRAGUS ! my fon ! my fon ! 
 What joy, what tranfport, doth thine aged fire 
 Feel in thefe filial foldings ! Speak not, boy, 
 Nor interrupt that heart-felt ecftacy 
 Should ftrike us mute. I know what thou would'ft fay, 
 Yet, prithee, peace. Thy fitter's voice hath clear'd thee, 
 And, could excufe find words at this bleft moment, 
 Truft me, I'd give it vent. But 'tis enough ; 
 Thy father welcomes thee to him and honour : 
 Honour, that now with rapt'rous certainty 
 Calls thee his own true offspring. Doft thou weep ? 
 Ah, if thy tears fwell not from joy's free fpring, 
 I beg thee, fpare them. I have done thee wrong ; 
 Can make thee no atonement ; none, alas ! 
 Thy father fcarce can blefs thee as he ought ; 
 Unbleft himfelf, befet with foes around, 
 Bereft of queen, of kingdom, and of foldiers, 
 H" can but give thee portion of his dangers, 
 Perchance and of his chains : Yet droop not, boy, 
 Virtue is ftill thine own. 
 
 ARVI-
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 It is, my Father ! 
 
 Pure as from thine illuftrious fount it came ; 
 And that unfullied, let the world opprefs us; 
 Let fraud and falfhood rivet fitters on us ; 
 Still fhall our fouls be free ; Yet hope is ours 
 As well as virtue. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Spoken like a Briton. 
 
 True, hope is ours, and therefore let's prepare : 
 The moments now are precious. Tell us, Druid! 
 Is it not meet we fee the bands drawn out, 
 And mark their due array ? 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Monarch, ev'n now 
 They fkirt the grove. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Then let us to their front 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 But is the traitor-youth in fafety lodg'd ? 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Druid, he fled 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 O fatal flight to Mona \ 
 CARACTACUS. 
 But what of that? ARVIRAGUS is here; 
 My fon is here : let then the traitor go. 
 By this he has join'd the Romans : let him join them; 
 A iingle arm, and that a villain's arm, 
 Can lend but little aid to any powers 
 Oppos'd to truth and virtue. Come, my fon, 
 Let's to the troops, and marfhal them with fpeed. 
 That done, we from thefe venerable men 
 Will claim their ready bleffing : then to battle ; 
 
 G 2 And
 
 [5*1 
 
 And the f\vift fun, ev'n at his purple dawn, 
 Shall fpy us crown'd with conqueft, or with death. 
 
 \_Exeunt Car abacus and Arvlragus* 
 
 SCENE II. 
 MODRED, EVELINA, CHORUS. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 What may his flight portend ? Say, EVELINA! 
 How came this youth to 'fcape ? 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 And that to tell 
 
 Will fix much blame on my impatient folly : 
 For, ere your hallow' d lips had given permiflion, 
 I Eew with eager hafte to bear my father 
 News of his fon's return. But my rafh tongue 
 Scarce nam'd ARVIRAGUS, ere the falfe ftrahger 
 Fled to the cavern's mouth. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 The king purfued ? 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Alas ! he mark'd him not, for 'twas the moment 
 When he had all to afk, and all to fear, 
 Touching my brother's valour : yet he foon 
 Perceiv'd his prifoner gone, and \vith fierce glance 
 Survey 'd the cavern round ; then fnatch'd his fpear, 
 And menac'd to purfue the flying traitor : 
 But I with prayers (O pardon if they err'd !) 
 Withheld his ftep, for to the left the youth 
 Hr.il '.ving'd his way, where the thick underwood 
 Afforded fure retreat. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Maiden, enough. 
 
 Better, perchance, for us, if he were captive : 
 But in the justice of their caufe, and heav'n, 
 Do Mona's fons confide. 
 
 SCENE
 
 [53] 
 SCENE III. 
 
 BARD, MODRED, ELIDURUS, EVELINA 
 CHORUS. 
 
 BARD. 
 
 Druid, the rites 
 
 Are finifli'd ; all fave that which crowns the reft, 
 And which pertains to thy bleft hand alone : 
 For that he kneels before thee. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Take him hence : 
 
 We may not truft him forth to fight our caufe. 
 ELIDURUS, 
 
 Now by ANDRASTE'S throne 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Nay, fwear not, Youth ; 
 The tie is broke that held thy fralty : 
 Thy brother's fled. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 Fled ! 
 MODRED. 
 
 To the Romans fled. 
 Yes ; thoa haft caufe to tremble. 
 
 ELIDURUS. 
 
 Ah, VELLINUS [ 
 
 Does thus our love, does thus our friendfhip end ? 
 Was I thy brother, youth, and haft thou left me ? 
 Yes ; and how left me ? cruel as thou art, 
 The victim of thy crimes ! 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 True : thou muft die. 
 ELIDURUS. 
 I pray ye then on your beft mercy, Fathers, 
 It may be fpeedy. I would fain be dead, 
 If this be life : yet I muft doubt ev'n that ; 
 
 For
 
 [541 
 
 For falfliood of this ftrange ftupendous fort 
 
 Sets firm-ey'd Reafon on a ^.aze, miftrufting 
 
 That what fhe fees in palpable plain form, 
 
 The ftars in yon blue arch, thefe woods, thefe caverns, 
 
 Are all meer tricks of cozenage ; nothing real ; 
 
 The vifion of a vifion. If he's fled, 
 
 I ought to hafe this brother. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Yet thou doft not, 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 But when aftonifhment will give me leave, 
 Perchance I (hall. And yet he is my brother; 
 And he was virtuous once. Yes, ye vile Romans ! 
 Yes, I muft die before my thirfty fword 
 Drinks one rich drop of vengeance. Yet, ye robbers ! 
 Yet will I curfe you with my dying lips : 
 'Twas you that ftole away my brother's virtue. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 Now then prepare to die. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 I am prepar'd. 
 
 Yet, fince I cannot now (what moft I wifli'd) 
 By manly prowefs guard this lovely maid, 
 Permit that on your holieft earth I kneel, 
 And pour one fervent prayer for her protection. 
 Allow me this ; for, though you think me falfe, 
 The Gods will hear me. 
 
 E V E L I N A. 
 
 I can hold no longer. 
 O Druid, Druid, at thy feet I fall ! 
 Yes, I muft plead, (away with virgin-bluflies) 
 For fuch a youth muft plead. I'll die to fave him. 
 O take my life, and let him fight for Mona. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Virgin, arife. His virtue hath redeem'd him, 
 And he fhall fight for thee, and for his country. 
 
 Youth,
 
 I 55] 
 
 Youth, thank us with thy deeds. The time is fhort, 
 
 And now with reverence take our high luftration : 
 
 Thrice do we fprinkle thee with day-break dew 
 
 Shook from the May-thorn bloflbm ; twice and thrice 
 
 Touch we thy forehead with our holy wand : 
 
 Now thou art fully purg'd. Now rife reftor'd 
 
 To virtue and to us. Hence then, my fon, 
 
 Hie thee to yonder altar, where our Bards 
 
 Shall arm thee duly both with helm and fword 
 
 For warlike enterprize. Exit Elidurus. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 GARACTACUS, ARVIRAGUS, EVELINA, 
 MODRED, CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 'Tis true, my Son ! 
 
 Bold are their bearings, and I fear me not 
 But they have hearts will not belie their looks. 
 I like them well. Yet would to righteous heav'n 
 Thofe valiant veterans that on Snowdon guard 
 Their fcanty pittance of bleak liberty 
 Were here to join them ; we would teach thefe wolves, 
 Tho' we permit their rage to prowl our coafts, 
 That vengeance waits them ere they rob our altars. 
 Hail, Druid, hail ! we find thy valiant guards 
 Accoutred fo, as well befpeaks the wifdom 
 That fram'd their phalanx. We but wait thy blefling 
 To lead them 'gainft the foe. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 CARACTACUS ! 
 
 Behold this fword : The fword of old BELINUS, 
 Stain'd with the blood of giants, and its name 
 TRIFINGUS. Many an age its charmed blade 
 Has flept within yon confecrated trunk. 
 Lo, I unfheath it, King ! upon thy knee 
 
 Receive
 
 [56] 
 
 Receive the facred pledge. And, mark otir words- 
 
 By the bright circle of the golden fun ; 
 
 By the brief courfes of the errant moonj 
 
 By the dread potency of every ftar 
 
 That ftuds the myftic zodiac's burning girth j 
 
 By each^ and all of thefe fupernal figns, 
 
 We do adjure thee with this trufty blade, 
 
 To guard yon central Oak, whofe holieft ftem 
 
 Involves the fpirit of high TARANIS : 
 
 This be thy charge ; to which in aid we join 
 
 Ourfelves, and our fage brethren. With our vaflals 
 
 Thy Son and the Brigantian Prince fhall make 
 
 Incurfion on the foe. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 In this, and all, 
 
 Be ours obfervance meet. Yet furely, Druid, 
 The frefll and active vigour of thefe youths 
 Might better fuit with this important charge. 
 Not that my heart (brinks at the glorious tafk, 
 But will with ready zeal pour forth its blood 
 Upon the facred roots, my firmeft courage 
 Might fail to fave. Yet, Fathers, I am old ; 
 And if I fell the foremoft in the onfet, 
 Should leave a fon behind, might ftill defend you. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 The facred adjuration we have utter'd 
 ^lay never be recall'd. 
 
 CARACTACUS, 
 
 Then be it fo. 
 
 But do not think I counfel this thro' fear : 
 Old as I am, I truft with half our powers 
 I could drive back thefe Romans to their fliips ; 
 Dailards, that come as doth the cow'ring fowler 
 To tangle me with mares and take me tamely : 
 Slaves, they fhall find, that ere they gain their prey* 
 They have to hunt it boldly with barb'd fpears, 
 
 And
 
 
 [ 57 ] 
 
 And meet fuch conflict as the chafed boar 
 Gives to his flout aflailants. O ye Gods ! 
 That I might inftant face them. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Be thy Son's 
 The onfet. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 From his foul that fon doth thank ye, 
 Bleffing the wifdom that preferves his father 
 Thus to the laft. Steel then, ye powers of Heav'n ! 
 Steel my firm foul with your own fortitude, 
 Free from alloy of pafllon. Give me courage, 
 That knows not rage j revenge, that knows not malice ; 
 Let me not thirft for carnage, but for conqueft : 
 And conqueft gain'd, fleep vengeance in my breaft, 
 Ere in its fheath my fword. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Oh hear his Father ! 
 
 If ever rafhnefs fpurr'd me on, great Gods, 
 To acts of danger thirfting for renown ; 
 If e'er my eager foul purfu'd ics courfe 
 Beyond juft Reafon's limit, vi/it not 
 My faults on him. I am the thing you made me, 
 Vindictive, bold, precipitate, and fierce : 
 But as you gave to him a milder mind, 
 O blefs him, blefs him with a milder fate ! 
 
 EVELINA. 
 Nor yet unheard let EVELINA pour 
 Her pray'rs and tears. Oh hear a haplefs maid, 
 That ev'n thro' half the years her life has number'd, 
 Ev'n nine long years has dragg'd a trembling being, 
 Befet with pains and perils. Give her peace ; 
 And, to endear it more, be that bleft peace 
 Won by her brother's fword. Oh blefs his arm, 
 And blefs his valiant followers, One ? and all. 
 
 H ELI-
 
 [ 53 1 
 
 ELIDUR US entering armed. 
 Hear, Heav'n ! and let this pure and virgin prayer 
 Plead ev'n for ELIDURUS, whofe fad foul 
 Cannot look up to your immortal thrones, 
 And urge his own requeft : Elfe would he afk, 
 That all the dangers of th' approaching fight 
 Might fall on him alone : That every fpear 
 The Romans wield might at his breaft be aim'd ; 
 Each arrow darted on his rattling helm j 
 That fo the brother of this beauteous maid, 
 Returning fafe with victory and peace, 
 Might bear them to her bofom. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Now rife all, 
 
 And Heav'n, that knows, what moft ye ought to afk, 
 Grant all ye ought to have. Behold, the ftars 
 Are faded j univerfal darknefs reigns. 
 Now is the dreadful hour, now will our torches 
 Glare with more livid horror, now our fhrieks, 
 And clanking arms will more appall the foe. 
 But heed, ye Bards, that for the fign of onfet, 
 Ye found the antienteft of all your rhymes, 
 Whofe birth tradition notes not, nor who fram'd 
 Its lofty {trains : The force of that high air 
 Did JULIUS feel, when, fir'd by it, our fathers 
 Firft drove the robber recreant to his (hips. 
 Now forth, brave Pair ! Go, with our bleffing ge 3 
 Mute be the march, as ye afcend the hill : 
 Then, when ye hear the found of pur fhrill trumpet^ 
 Fall on the foe. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 And glory be thy guide ; 
 Pride of my foul, go forth and conquer. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Brother, 
 Yet one embrace. O thou mueh-honour'd Stranger,
 
 [ 59 ] 
 
 I charge thee fight by my dear brother's fide, 
 And ihield him from the foe ; for he is brave, 
 And will, with bold and well-dire&ed arm, 
 Return thy fuccour. [Exeunt Arvlragus and Elidurus. 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Now, ye Priefts, with fpeed 
 Strew on the altar's height your facred leaves, 
 And light the morning flame. But why is this r 1 
 Why doth our brother MADOR fnatch his harp 
 From yonder bough ? Why this way bend his ftep ? 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 He is entranc'd. The fillet burfts that bound 
 His liberal locks j his fnowy veftments fall 
 In ampler folds ; and all his floating form 
 Doth feem to gliften with divinity ! 
 Yet is he fpeechlefs. Say, thou Chief of Bards, 
 What is there in this airy vacancy, 
 That thou with fiery and irregular glance 
 Should'ft fcan thus wildly ? wherefore heaves thy breaft ? 
 Why ftarts , 
 
 ODE. 
 
 MADOR. 
 
 Hark ! [ Symphony behind the Scenes. 
 
 Hark ! [Symphony louder. 
 
 Hark ! [Full Symphony. 
 
 Hark ! heard ye not yon footftep dread, 
 That (hook the earth with thund'ring tread ? 
 'Twas Death. In hafte 
 The Warrior paft; 
 High tower'd his helmed head : 
 
 I mark'd his mail, I mark'd his fhield, 
 I 'fpy'd the fparkling of his" fpear, 
 
 I faw his giant arm the falchion wield - T 
 Wide wav'd the bick'ring blade, and fir'd the angry air. 
 H 2 On
 
 [ 60 ] 
 
 On me (he cry'd) my Britons, wait, 
 To lead you to the field of fate 
 I come : Yon car, 
 
 That cleaves the air, 
 Defcends to throne my ftate : 
 
 I mount your Champion and your God. 
 My proud (reeds neigh beneath the thong : 
 
 Hark ! to my wheels of brafs, that rattle loud ! 
 
 Hark ! to my clarion fhrill, that brays the woods among * 
 
 Full CHORUS. 
 
 He mounts our Champion and our God. 
 His proud Jieeds neigh beneath the thong : 
 
 Hark ! to his wheels of brafs, that rattle loud ! 
 Hark ! to his clarion Jhrill^ that brays the woods among / 
 
 M A D O R. 
 Fear not now the Fever's fire, 
 
 Fear not now the Death-bed groan, 
 Pang;s that torture, pains that tire, 
 
 Bed-rid age with feeble moan : 
 Thefe domeftic terrors wait 
 Hourly at my palace gate ; 
 
 And when o'er flothful realms my rod I wave, 
 
 Thefe on the tyrant King and coward Slave, 
 Rufh with vindictive rage, and drag them to their grave. 
 
 But ye, my Sons, at this high hour 
 Shall {hare the fullnefs of my pow'r : 
 
 From all your bows, 
 
 In levefd rows, 
 My own dread fhafts fhall fhower. 
 
 Go then to conqueft, gladly go, 
 Deal forth my dole of deftiny, 
 
 With all my fury dafh the trembling foe 
 Down to thofe darkfome dens, where Rome's pale 
 fpe&res lie ; 
 
 Where
 
 [ 6i ] 
 
 Where creeps the ninefold ftream profound 
 Her black inexorable round, 
 
 And on the bank, 
 
 To willows dank, 
 The ftiivering ghofts are bound. 
 
 Twelve thouland crefcents all fhall fwell 
 To full-orb'd pride, and fading die, 
 
 Ere they again in life's gay manfions dwell : 
 Not fuch the meed that crowns the fons of Liberty. 
 
 No, my Britons ! battle-flain, 
 
 Rapture gilds your parting hour: 
 I, that all defpotic reign, 
 
 Claim but there a moment's power. 
 Swiftly the foul of Britim flame 
 Animates fome kindred frame, 
 
 Swiftly to life and light triumphant flies, 
 
 Exults again in martial ecftacies, 
 Again for freedom fights, again for freedom dies. 
 
 Full CHORUS. 
 The godlike foul of Britijh flame 
 Animates feme kindred frame. 
 
 Swiftly to life and light triumphant files, 
 
 Exults again in martial ecjlacies, 
 jfgain for freedom fights, again for freedom dies. 
 
 [Exeunt* 
 N D of the FOURTH ACT. 
 
 ACT
 
 [ 62 ] 
 
 A C T V. 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Enter CARACTACUS hq/?ify 9 but with-held by MODRED 
 and the CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 DRUID, with-hold me not. The thundering voiee 
 Still rolls around my ear. Death calls to arms, 
 Hark ! Hark ! he calls again ! Champion, lead on, 
 I follow ; give me way, my foul is Britiih ; 
 Does he not fay unconquered, undifmay'd, 
 The Britifh foul revives ? Yes, fome bleft Qiajt 
 Shall rid me of this clog of cumb'rous age ; 
 And I again fhall in fome happier mould 
 Rife to redeem my country. 
 
 MODRED. 
 
 Stay thee, Prince, 
 
 And mark what clear and amber-fkirted clouds 
 Rife from the altar's verge, and cleave the fkies : 
 Oh 'tis a profperous omen ! Soon expect 
 To hear glad tidings. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 I will fend them to thee. 
 MODRED. 
 
 But fee, a Bard approaches, and he bears them : 
 Elfe is his eye no herald to his heart. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 BARD, MODRED, CARACTACUS, CHORUS. 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Speedily tell thy tale. 
 
 BARD. 
 
 A tale like mine s 
 
 1
 
 [ 63 ] 
 
 I truft your ears will willingly purfue 
 
 Thro' each glad circumftmce. Firft, Monarch, learflj 
 
 The Roman troop is fled. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Great Gods, we thank ye ! 
 CARACTACUS. 
 Fought they not ere they fled ? Oh tell me all. 
 
 BARD. 
 
 Silent, as night, we pac'd up yonder hill, 
 While hid beneath its facrificial pall, 
 Did fleep our holy fire, nor faw the air, 
 'Till to that pafs we came, where whilom BRUT 
 Planted his five hoar altars. Inftant there, 
 We cloth'd each rocky pile with livid flame. 
 Near each a white- rob'd Druid, whofe ftern voice 
 Thunder'd deep execrations on the foe. 
 Now wak'd our horrid fymphony, now all 
 Our harps terrific rang : Mean while the grove 
 Trembled, the altars (hook, and thro' our ranks 
 Our facred lifters rufh'd with funeral brands, 
 Hurl'd round with menacing fury. On they rufh'd 
 In fierce and frantic mood, as is their wont 
 Amid the magic rites, they do to NIGHT 
 In their deep dens below. Motions like thefe 
 W^ere never dar'd before in open air ! 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Did I not fay, we had a pow'r within us, 
 That might appall ev'n Romans ? 
 BARD. 
 
 And it did. 
 
 They flood aghaft, and to our vollied darts 
 Scarce rais'd a warding fhield. The facred trumpet 
 Then rent the air, and inftant at the fignal 
 Rufti'd down ARVIRAGUS with all our vaflals : 
 A hot, but fhort-liv'd, conflict then enfu'd : 
 For foon they fled. I faw the Romans fly, 
 Before I left the field. CAR-
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 My fon purfu'd ? 
 BARD. 
 
 The Prince and ELIDURUS, like twin lions, 
 Did fide by fide engage. Death feem'd to guide 
 Their fwords, no ftroke fell fruitlefs, every wound 
 Gave him a vi&im. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Far did they purfue ? 
 BARD. 
 
 Ev'n to the fliips : For I defcry'd the rout, 
 Far as the twilight gleam would aid my fight. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 Now, thanks to the bright ftar that rul'd his birth j 
 Yes, he will foon return to claim my bleffing, 
 And he mail have it pour'd in tears of joy 
 On his bold breaft ! methought I heard a ftep : 
 Is it not his ? 
 
 BARD. 
 'Tis fome of our own train, 
 And as I think, they lead fix Romans captive. .'-.. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 MOORED, CARACTACUS, CAPTIVES. 
 CHORUS. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 They feem of bold demeanor, and have helms, 
 That fpeak them leaders. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Bear them to the cavern. 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 But while they live, treat them as men mould men, 
 And not as Rome treats Britain. [Exeunt Captives. 
 
 SCENE
 
 [ 65 ] 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 EVELINA, CARACTACUS, MODRED, 
 
 CHORUS. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 O My father, 
 
 Support me, take me trembling to your arms ; 
 All is not well. Ah me, my fears o'ercome me ! 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 What means my child ? 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Alas ! we are betray 'd. 
 Ev'n now as wandring in yon eaftern grove 
 I call'd the Gods to aid us, the dread found 
 Of many hafty fteps did meet mine ear : 
 This way they preft. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Daughter, thy fears are vain. 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Methought I faw the flame of lighted brands, 
 And what did glitter to my dazzled fight, 
 Like fwords and helms. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 All, all the feeble coinage 
 Of maiden fear. 
 
 E V E L I NA 
 
 Nay, if mine ear miftcok not, 
 I heard the traitor's voice, who that way 'fcap'd, 
 Calling to arms. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Away with idle terrors ! 
 
 Know, thy brave brother's helm is crown'd with conqueft? 
 Our foes are fled, their leaders are our captives. 
 Smile, my lov'd child, and imitate the fun, 
 That rifes ruddy from behind yon Oaks 
 To hail him victor. 
 
 I MODRED.
 
 [ 66 ] 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 That the rifing Sun f 
 O horror ! horror ! facrilegious fires 
 Devour our groves : They blaze, they blaze ! Oh founil 
 The trump again j recall the Prince, or all 
 Is loft. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 Druid, where is thy fortitude ? 
 Do not I live ? Is not this holy fword 
 Firm in my grafp ? I will preferve your groves. 
 Britons, I go : Let thofe that dare die nobly, 
 Follow my ftep. [Exit Caraflacus. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Oh whither does he go ? 
 Return, return : Ye holy men, recall him. 
 \Vhat is his arm againft a hoft of Romans ? 
 Oh I have loft a father! 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Ruthlefs Gods ! 
 
 Ye take away our fouls : A general panic 
 Reigns thro' the grove. Oh fly, my brethren, fly 
 To aid the King, fly to preferve your altars ! 
 Alas ! 'tis all in vain ; our fate is fixt. 
 Look there, look there, thou mtferable maid ! 
 Behold thy bleeding brother. 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS, ELIDURUS, EVELINA, 
 MOORED, CHORUS. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Thanks, good youth ! 
 Safe haft thou brought me to that holy fpot, 
 Where I did wilh to die. I would drag out 
 This life, tho' at fome coft of throbs and pangs, 
 Juft long enough to claim my father's bleffing, 
 
 And
 
 [ 67 ] 
 
 And figh my laft 'breath in my fitter's arms. 
 And here fhe kneels, poor maid ! all dumb with grief. 
 Reftrain thy forrow, gentleft EVELINA ! 
 True, thou doft fee me bleed : I bleed to death. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Say'ft thou to death ? O Gods ! the barbed fhaft 
 Is buried in his breaft. Yes, he muft die ; 
 And I, alas ! am doom'd to fee him die. 
 Where are your healing arts, ye holy men ? 
 Pluck me but out this fliaft, ftanch but this blood, 
 And I will call down bleflings on your heads 
 With fuch a fervency alas ! ye cannot, 
 Then let me beg you on my bended knee, . 
 Give to my mis'ry fome chill opiate drug 
 May fhut up all my fenfes. -Yes, good Fathers, 
 Mingle the potion fo, that it may kill me 
 Juft at the inftant this poor languiftier 
 JJeaves his laft figh. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Talk not thus wildly, Sifter, 
 
 Think on our father's age 
 
 E V E L N A. 
 
 Alas ! my Brother ! 
 
 We have no father now ; or if we have, 
 He is a captive. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Captive ! O my wound ! 
 
 It flings me nowBut is it fo ? [Turning to the Chorus. 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Alas! 
 
 We know no more, fave that he fallied fingle 
 To meet the foe, whofe unexpected hoft 
 Round by the eaft had wound their fraud ful march, 
 And fir'd our groves. 
 
 I 2 ELI-
 
 E L I D U R U S . 
 
 O fetal, fatal valour ! 
 Then is he feiz'd, or {lain. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 Too fure he is ! 
 
 Druid, not half the Romaas met our fwords ; 
 We found the fraud too late : the reft are yonder. 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 How could they gain the pafs r 
 
 A. R V I R A G U S. 
 
 The wretch, that fled 
 
 That way, return'd, conducting half their powers ; 
 And But thy pardon, youth, I will not wound thee, 
 He is thy brother. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Thus my honeft fwofd 
 Shall force the blood from the detefted heart, 
 That holds alliance with him. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 
 ELIDURUS ! 
 
 Hold, on our friendfhip, hold. Thou noble youth, 
 Look on this innocent maid. She muft to Rome, 
 Captive to Rome. Thou feeft warm life flow from me, 
 Ere long fhe'll have no brother. Heav'n's my witnefs, 
 I do not vviih, that thou fhould'ft live the flave 
 Of Rome : But yet {he is my fifter. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 Prince ! 
 
 Thou urgeft that, might make me drag an age 
 In fetters worfe than Roman. I will live, 
 And while I live 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 Enter BARD. 
 
 Fly to your caverns, Druids ! 
 The grove's befet around. The chief approaches. 
 
 CHORUS.
 
 [ 69 ] 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Let him approach, we will confront his pride ; 
 The Seer that rules amid the groves of Mona 
 Has not to fear his fury. What tho' age 
 Slacken our finews ; what tho' fhield and fword 
 Give not their iron aid to guard our body ; 
 Yet virtue arms our foul, and 'gainft that panoply 
 What 'vails the rage of robbers ? Let him come. 
 
 ARVIRAGUS. 
 I faint apace. Ye venerable Men, 
 If ye can fave this body from pollution, 
 If ye can tomb me in this facred place, 
 I truft ye will. I fought to fave thefe groves, 
 And, fruitlefs tho' I fought, fome grateful Oak, 
 I truft, will fpread its reverential gloom 
 O'er my pale afties Ah ! that pang was death ? 
 
 My lifter, Oh ! [/>/. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 
 She faints ! Ah raife her ! -** 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Yes, 
 
 Now he is dead. I felt his fpirit go 
 In a cold figh, and as it paft, methought 
 It paus'd a while, and trembled on my lips ! 
 Take me not from him : Breathlefs as he is, 
 He is my brother ftill, and if the Gods 
 Do pleafe to grace him with fome happier being, 
 They ne'er can give to him a fonder lifter. 
 
 MOORED. 
 
 Brethren, furround the corfe, and, ere the foe 
 Approaches, chaunt with meet folemnity 
 That grateful dirge your dying champion claims. 
 
 [Symphony. 
 M A D O R. 
 
 Lo ! where incumbent o'er the fhade 
 Rome's rav'ning eagle bows her beaked head ! 
 
 Yet
 
 [ 7 I 
 
 Yet while a moment fate affords ; 
 While yet a moment freedom ftay$ ; 
 That moment, which outweighs 
 Eternity's unmeafur'd hoards, 
 Shall Mona's grateful Bards employ 
 To hymn their godlike Hero to the fky. 
 Second BARD. 
 
 AIR. 
 Radiant Ruler of the day ! 
 
 Paufe upon thy orb fublime, 
 Sid this awful moment Jlay, 
 
 Bind it on the brow of time ; 
 While Mona's trembling echoes Jigh 
 To flrains that trill when heroes die* 
 Fourth BARD. 
 
 A I R. 
 
 Hear our harps, in accents flow. 
 Breathe the dignity of woe, 
 Solemn notes that pant, and paufe, 
 While the lajl majejlic clofe, 
 In diapafon deep is drown d- t 
 fflotes that M 'ana's harps Jbould found, 
 Third BARD. 
 
 A 1 R. 
 
 See our tears, in fober Jhower, 
 O'er this Jhrine of glory pour ; 
 Holy tears, by Virtue Jhed, 
 That embalm the valiant dead ; 
 In thefe our facred fong we Jleep, 
 Tears that Mona's Bards Jhould weep. 
 
 TRIO. 
 Radiant Ruler ! hear us call 
 
 BleJJings on the godlike Youth, 
 Who dar'd to fight, who dard to fall, 
 
 For Britain, Freedom, and for Truth.
 
 [ 7' ] 
 
 His dying groan, his parting fegh. 
 Was muftc for the Gods on high j 
 'Twas Valor's hymn to Liberty. 
 
 M A D O R. 
 Ring out ye mortal firings ! 
 Anfwer thou heav'nly harp inftincl: with fpirit all, 
 That o'er ANDRASTES' throne felf-warbling fwings. 
 There, where ten thoufand fpheres, in meafur'd chime. 
 Roll their majeftic melodies along, 
 Thou guid'ft the thundering fong, 
 Pois'd on thy jafpar arch fublime. 
 Yet {hall thy heav'nly accents deign 
 To mingle with our mortal ftrain, 
 And Heav'n and Earth unite, in chorus high, 
 While Freedom wafts her champion to the fky. 
 
 Full CHORUS. 
 ANDRASTES' hcav'nly harp Jhall deign 
 70 mingle with our mortal Jlrain^ 
 And Heavn and Earth unite, in chorus high) 
 While Freedom wafts her champion to the Jky. 
 
 SCENE VII. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS, MODRED, EVELINA, ELI- 
 DURUS, CHORUS. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 Ye bloody priefts, 
 
 Behold we burft on your infernal rites, 
 And bid you paufe. Inftant reftore our foldiers, 
 Nor hope that Superftition's ruthlefs ftep 
 Shall wade in Roman gore. Ye favage men, 
 Did not our laws give licence to all faiths, 
 We would o'erturn your altars, headlong heave 
 Thefe (hapelefs fymbols of your barbarous Gods, 
 And let the golden fun into your caves. 
 
 MODRED.
 
 1 7* ] 
 
 M O D R E D. 
 
 Servant of C^SAR, has thine impious tongue 
 Spent the black venom of its blaiphemy ? 
 It has : then take our curfes on thy head, 
 Ev'n his fell curfes, who doth reign in Mona, 
 Vicegerent of thofe Gods thy pride infults. 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 Bold prieft, I fcorn thy curfes, and thyfelf. 
 Soldiers, go fearch the caves, and free the prifoners. 
 Take heed ye feize CARACTACUS alive. 
 Arreft yon youth ; load him with heavieft irons j 
 He fhall to CJESAR anfwer for his crime. 
 
 E L I D U R U S. 
 I ftand prepar'd to triumph in my crime. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 'Tis well, proud boy Look to the beauteous maid 
 
 [To the foldiers. 
 
 That, 'tranc'd in grief, bends o'er yon bleeding corfe : 
 RefpecT: her forrows. 
 
 EVELINA. 
 
 Hence ye barbarous men, 
 Ye fhall not take him welt'ring thus in blood, 
 To fhew at Rome what Britifh virtue was. 
 Avaunt ! The breathlefs body that ye touch 
 Was once ARVIRAGUS ! 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 Fear us not, Princefs ! 
 We reverence the dead. 
 
 MOORED. 
 
 Would too to heav'n 
 Ye reverenc'd the Gods but ev'n enough 
 Not to debafe with Slavery's cruel chain 
 What they created free. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 The Romans fight 
 Not to enflave, but humanize the world. 
 
 MODRED.
 
 [ 73 ] 
 
 MOORED. 
 
 Go to, we will not parley with thee, Roman: 
 Inftant pronounce our doom. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 Hear it, and thank us v 
 
 This once our clemency fhall fpare your groves, 
 If, at our call, ye yield the Britiih King : 
 Yet learn, when next ye aid the foes of CJESAR, 
 That each old Oak, whofe folemn gloom ye boaft, 
 Shall bow beneath our axes. 
 
 MOORED. 
 
 Be they blafted 
 Whene'er their fhade forgets to fhelter virtue. 
 
 SCENE VIII. 
 
 Enter BARD. 
 
 Mourn, Mona, mourn. CARACTACUS is captive \ 
 And doft thou fmile, falfe Roman ? Do not think 
 He fell an eafy prey. Know, ere he yielded, 
 Thy braveft veterans bled. He too, thy Spy, 
 The bafe Brigantian Prince, hath feal'd his fraud 
 With death. The brave CARACTACUS himfelf 
 Seiz'd his falfe throat j and as he gave the blow 
 Indignant thunder'd, " Thus is my laft ftroke 
 " The ftroke of juftice." Numbers then oppreft him; 
 I faw the flave that cowardly behind 
 Pinion'd his arms ; I faw the facred fword 
 WVith'd from his grafp j I faw, what now ye fee, 
 Inglorious fight ! thofe barbarous bonds upon him. 
 
 SCENE IX. 
 
 CARACTACUS, AULUS DIDIUS, MOORED, 
 CHORUS, &c. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Romans, methinks the malice of your tyrant 
 Might furnifh heavier chains. Old as I am, 
 
 K Truft
 
 t 74 J 
 
 Truft me, I've ftrength to bear the weightieft load 
 Injuftice dares impofe. 
 
 Proud-crefted foldier ! [To Didius. 
 Say, doft thou read lefs terror on my brow 
 Than when thou met'ft me in the fields of war, 
 Heading my nations ? No: my free-born foul 
 Has fcorn ftill left to fparkle thro' thefe eyes, 
 And frown defiance on thee. Is it thus ! 
 
 [Seeing bis fort's body. 
 
 Then I'm indeed a captive. Mighty Gods ! 
 My foul, my foul fubmits : Patient it bears 
 The pond'rous load of grief ye heap upon it, 
 And is the fad tame thing it ought to be, 
 Coopt in a fervile body. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 Droop not, King. 
 
 When CLAUDIUS, the great mafter of the world, 
 Shall hear the noble ftory of thy valour, 
 
 His pity 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Can a Roman pity, foldier ? 
 And if he can, Gods ! muft a Briton bear it ? 
 ARVIRAGUS, my bold, my breathlefs boy, 
 Thou haft efcap'd fuch pity ; thou art free. 
 Here in high Mona fhall thy noble limbs 
 Reft in a noble grave ; Pofterity 
 Shall pile fepulchral ftones upon thy corfe : 
 
 Whilft mine 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 
 The morn doth haften our departure, 
 Prepare thee, King, to go : A fav'ring gale 
 Now fwells our fails. 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Inhuman that thou art ! 
 Doft thou deny a moment for a father 
 To fhed a few warm tears o'er his dead fon ? 
 
 1
 
 [ 75 ] 
 
 I tell thee, Chief, this acl might claim a life 
 
 To do that office duly. Cruel man ! 
 
 And thou denieft me moments. Be it fo. 
 
 I know you Romans weep not for your children; 
 
 Ye triumph o'er your tears, and think it valour: 
 
 I triumph in my tears. Yes, beft-lov'd boy ; 
 
 Yes, I can weep, can tear thefe few grey hairs, 
 
 The only honours war and age have left me. 
 
 Ah, fon ! thou might'ft have rul'd o'er many nations, 
 
 As did thy royal anceftry : but I, 
 
 Rafh that I was, ne'er knew the golden curb 
 
 Difcretion hangs on brav'ry ; elfe perchance 
 
 Thefe men that faften fetters on thy father 
 
 Had fu'd to him for peace, and claim'd his friendfhip. 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 But thou waft ftill implacable to Rome, 
 And fcorn'd her friendfhip. 
 
 CARACTACUS Jlartlng up from the body. 
 Soldier, I had arms, 
 
 Had neighing fteeds to whirl my iron cars, 
 Had wealth, dominion. Doft thou wonder, Roman, 
 I fought to fave them ? What if CJESAR aims 
 To lord it univerfal o'er the world, 
 Shall the world tamely crouch at CJESAR'S footftool? 
 
 AULUS DIDIUS. 
 Read in thy fate our anfwer. Yet if fooner 
 
 Thy pride had yielded 
 
 CARACTACUS. 
 
 Thank thy Gods, I did not. 
 Had it been fo, the glory of thy mafter, 
 Like my misfortunes, had been (hort and trivial, 
 Oblivion's ready prey : Now, after ftruggling 
 Nine years, and that right bravely, 'gainft a tyrant, 
 I am his flave to treat as feems him good : 
 If cruelly, 'twill be an eafy tafk 
 To bow a wretch, alas, how bow'd already ! 
 
 K 2 Down
 
 Down to the dufi : If well, his clemency 
 
 May itine in honour's annals, and adorn 
 
 Himfelf : it boots not me. Look there ! look there ! 
 
 The fjave that fhot that dart kill'd ev'ry hope 
 
 Of loft CARACTACUS ! Arife, my daughter. 
 
 Alas ! poor Prince ! art thou too in vile fetters ? 
 
 [To Elbrus. 
 
 Come hither, Youth: Be thou to me a fon,' 
 To her a brother. Thus with trembling arms 
 I lead you forth : Children, we go to Rome. 
 Weep'fi thou, my girl ? I prithee hoard thy tears 
 For the fad meeting of thy captive mother : 
 For we have much to tell her. Think'ft thou, maid, 
 Her gentlenefs can bear that tale, and live ? 
 
 [Painting to his dead Son* 
 And yet fhe muft. O Gods, I grow a talker \ 
 Grief and old age are ever full of words : 
 But I'll be mute. ' Adieu, ye holy men ! 
 Yet one look more. Now lead us hence for ever. 
 
 A Dead March. 
 
 During which CARACTACUS, EVELINA, d</ELiDURtfo 
 are led- off y Ro M A N s . 
 
 THE END.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 20m-l,'42<851' 

 
 IBP